Let me start off with the fact that I would not be where I am without a Pell grant and the Arkansas Lottery Scholarship. The Pell grants are aimed at giving aid to low-income families that would not be able to afford the gradually increasing college tuition costs. While reports show that in 2010, 6.3 million college students received Pell grants many are starting to believe colleges are just raising tuition costs to make up for the difference. As stated by Sandy Baum, the senior policy analyst at The College Board “The average size of a Pell Grant has increased over time, but it is this increase in use of the program that explains most of the increase in expenditures. Because college prices have risen more rapidly than grant levels, Pell covers a lower proportion of total college expenses than it did a decade ago.”
With the present college student taking an average of 5 years to complete college it brings me to believe that college is going to end up being impossible to afford for low-income Americans. Over the past three decades the tuition rates have increased by double the inflation rates bring up the question, when will we be able to get the prices under control? Right now the Obama administration is attempting to raise the top amount that Pell grants can be issued for, which as of now is $5,710. But if this mandate is approved will it still be counterproductive like the current attempt to lower tuition costs? Probably, which is why something should be done to put a “price control” on college tuition costs, keeping increases sustainable for all incoming students.
Dear Shane,
ReplyDeleteI really like how your brought in such a large topic for your readers. Most of us who will read this will be able to strongly agree with you. This is a very relative story for most of us reading this.
One point that stood out to me is how even though pell grants are increasing, tuition's are increasing even faster. That is very true all over the world for people wanting to enroll into schools, post high school. So even though it may seem like your getting more money, your still having to pay more to the school. Universities are constantly trying to nickel and dime people because they know that if the people are getting free school money, that means you’ll be able to spend some more of your personal money.
I think you were very right when you said that later on college will be unaffordable for low-income families. The prices to go to school are absolutely going through the roof. The way its going now its going to be a strain on even those who are mid-income families.
Thank you very much for your blog on this topic. You proved a very valid point because this is something that is very easy for us to relate to. Also thanks because it is very important for our countries awareness. I’m sure this blog will be the spark to the flame that will cause a world wide debate about how much more expensive will college tuition cost.
Sincerely Meadowlark
Dear Shane,
ReplyDeleteI like how you talked about the rising costs of Tuition for college. I am a college student myself and this interest me greatly.
"Let me start off with the fact that I would not be where I am without a Pell grant and the Arkansas Lottery Scholarship." I agree with this statement completely, because the Arkansas Lottery Scholarship has helped my sister and I a drastically. My parents have to pay for both of our tuitions at the same time, and it is hard for them so this scholarship helps them out a lot.
With the present college student taking an average of 5 years to complete college it brings me to believe that college is going to end up being impossible to afford for low-income Americans." This is another thing I aggree with. College is not an easy thing to accomplish, and depending on what your major is, could take several years to complete, and you are spending a lot of money in the process. This makes it hard for low income families to pay for it, which causes people to try college for about a year or so then drop out because they can't afford the bills and stress that comes along with the college experience.
Thank you for writing this interesting blog about the current strain on the tuition for college being raised and expensive. I like reading about your blogs, keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Goldfinch
Dear Corporations in everyday life,
ReplyDeleteI find your blog posts to be very well written and informative, and this one definitely didn't disappoint. This interested me because I am a college student that does have to worry about tuition costs.
It really shocked me when you said that colleges are making tuition more expensive to make up for the grants. I think this is a very selfish thing to do. Of course they want to make their money, but isn't the point of a college to better society with more educated people? Colleges should realize that, and realize that it's not all about the money.
I agree with the fact that it will be close to impossible for low income students to complete college. I am one out of three children, and my mom is getting her master's degree and my brother is going to school next year. Without scholarships and grants, it would be impossible to go to school.
This was an awesome topic to talk about and I think that everyone should be in the know about this.
Bunting