Not only are college students having a harder time than ever securing financial aid, now many are having to deal with the effects of state budget cuts on their school, according to the Associated Press.
Universities that are facing severe funding cuts, sometimes up to 20 percent, are responding by laying off part time staff, cutting classes that aren’t popular and increasing class size.
Students are looking at potentially having to delay graduation due to the unavailability of essential classes. This in turn, costs the students more money. Many scholarships, grants and financial aid packages only cover four years of education, so any additional time is usually completely out of pocked by the student. Class cuts are also causing some students to drop down to part time which also negatively affects financial aid and scholarships.
Legislators have been urging schools to find ways to help students get their education more efficiently in less time; but these new cuts to college resources is making that goal exponentially more difficult.
According to the Associated Press, governmental study from the years 1999-2000 showed that the average student took 4.5 years to make it to graduation. Approximately two thirds of students took five years to complete their education. California has the nation’s largest public university system and its averages are even longer. As of 2007, it found that students were taking an average of 5.7 years to complete school.
Our Take
Like many things nowadays, due to the recession and poor state of our economy, funding is being cut to schools. These Universities are in a tough spot; they’re out of money but also are trying to help students get an education in a timely manner. It may be helpful for financial aid to now be calculated on a five year basis, so students won’t feel such pressure to get out of school in four years before their funds runs out. Hopefully, the economy will begin to recover to a degree where there are more funds to move around for important areas such as education.
