A tuition increase may mean
students are going to be feeling it
in the pit of their wallet more
than ever come fall 2008.
On Feb. 14, 2008 the Bucks’
Board of Trustees unanimously
voted to raise tuition $2 per
credit and $3 per credit for
technology support fees.
Why this time? According to
the board,: to deal with the rising
costs of textbooks and students
attending the college. This year,
Bucks educates more than 9,444
students, which is almost 100
individuals over budget.
For the out-of-state students,
who are already are dishing out
the $279 per-credit fee, the
increase for per credit amount
has not been discussed, however,
it is almost certain to follow suit
with the rise for in-state.
Does hearing about another
Bucks tuition hike sound familiar?
It should; it has been been on
a steady increase since at least
2000.
In 2003, The Centurion reported
tuition was increased $3 per
credit and $7-$9 per credit technology
support fee. In 2004, the
increase was $4 per credit. In
2005, it rose another $4 per credit
and $3 per credit technology
fee. And in 2006, tuition jumped
another $4 per credit. And last
year? Tuition increased another
$1 per credit and $2 for technology
fee.
That’s $18 in five years per
credit and $15-$17 per credit
technology support fee.
The tuition increase could
adversely affect many students
and the Financial Aid Office is
preparing for the influx of frazzled
students.
By providing tax returns, pay
stubs and W2 forms while completing
a Special Condition Form
with the Financial Aid Office,
students can find help to deal
with the pressure that comes
with paying for an education.
According to the Financial Aid
website, approximately 2,287
students received some form of
financial aid
in the 2005-
2006 academic
year,
exceeding
nearly $7.8
million in
all.
In the
March 7,
2005 edition
of the
Centurion,
B u c k s
P r e s i d e n t
Dr. James
Linksz was
quoted as
saying that
the he
believes it is
fairer to
increase the
tuition now
rather than
to have to suddenly cut programs,
staff and services later.
He would rather make small
adjustments each year rather
than a large increase every couple
of years. “It makes better
financial sense, and it’s better for
students,” he said.
And Linksz has been keeping
his promise of a slow and steady
tuition increase. The hike is due
to a state legislature funding
agreement, Act 46, that altered
the way Pennsylvania’s 14 community
colleges receive funding;
this put Bucks in major debt.
Hopefully, the approximate
$33 increase in five years has settled
the debt, what with the
increase in students attending
Bucks.