Strickland plans to ease tuition hike
By Jon Huff
Death, taxes and tuition hikes are certainties in life. But with a new plan laid out by Gov. Ted Strickland, tuition increases may be limited.
In his State of the State address on March 14, Strickland said he is looking to make public universities in Ohio more affordable.
“We must work harder to see that our young adults don’t find the door to higher education slammed in their face by out of control tuition costs,” Strickland said.
Strickland’s plan is made up of two initiatives to aid students pursuing higher education. First is an increase in funding to universities. This funding will increase 5 percent next year and then 2 percent the following year. But the universities must do their part to help students.
In a 2002 speech on higher education funding, CSU President Michael Schwartz pointed out the increasing tuition woes.
“In 1997 CSU’s tuition was $3,456 a year. [In 2002] it is $5,196 for continuing undergraduate students and $5,496 for new students,” Dr. Schwartz said. Tuition for a year is now $7,920, an increase averaging $681 a year.
News of Strickland’s plan is welcome relief for students.
“I think it’s a great idea,” said Jamie DuBois, a freshman. “It’s nice that education is a priority.”Chris Grable agrees. Grable, a junior, said rising tuition has made it harder for him. “It seems like a solid idea,” Grable said.
However, he is still a bit weary. “I’d have to read more into it, see if there are any loopholes.”
“To get their share of this historic funding increase, each public college and university must find ways to operate more efficiently,” said Strickland.
In order to qualify for the funding, universities must not raise tuition next year and limit tuition to a 3 percent rise the year after. This is opposed to the 9 percent Ohio has averaged since 1996 according to Strickland.
“Even with the compact in place, there will still be a gap between the cost of a college education and what many Ohio students and families can afford,” Strickland said.
Strickland’s second initiative aims to fill this gap by assisting students looking at higher education.
According to Strickland, the Ohio College Opportunity Grant will be fully implemented for the universities in the Board of Regents system.
The Ohio Board of Regents monitors the Ohio College Opportunity Grant.
According to their Web site (http://regents.ohio.gov), the grant provides tuition assistance to students from low to moderate-income families, giving up to $5000 for students.
All Ohio students are eligible for aid from the grant. Those who qualify are determined based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
This will help more than 100,000 students pay for college, Strickland said.
“If we do this right, education will feed the economy. Success will bring more success. And the beneficiaries of our efforts will not only be students in the classroom, but all Ohioans.”