Show College Tuition Continues to Rise at Twice the Rate of Inflation By Marco Buscaglia College Press Exchange WASHINGTON The The cost of college continues to rise twice as fast as the rate of inflation a new study by the College Board has found And today's students are taking on more debt to cover college costs College tuition increased on average average average aver aver- age by 6 percent while inflation rose roseby roseby roseby by 26 percent last year according to the Consumer Price Index which surveyed 2800 schools College tuition and fees now average at private year four-year colleges 2860 at public year four-year colleges at private year two-year colleges and 1387 1381 at public year two-year colleges The reality of going to school has become less of a possibility for some students and families said Kathleen Brouder College Board spokesperson But if they are willing willing willing will will- ing to look for financial aid opportunities opportunities opportunities there are resources out there that can make school more afford- afford r T able Those financial aid opportunities however are quickly shifting from grants to loans said College Board President Donald Stewart While there is nearly 46 million available in financial aid almost 60 percent of that sum is in the form of student loans Ten years ago loans accounted for about 40 percent of all financial aid We need to take a look at the loan imbalance in this country and see how much our students can afford Stewart said This years year's 6 percent tuition increase is less than the 9 to 10 percent increases that colleges colleges colleges col col- col- col leges implemented in the late But for some the 6 percent hike is still too high Schools are coming dangerously close to scaring off students said David spokesperson for forthe forthe forthe the American Council on Education If tuition increases by a larger amount a lot of people will be taking a close look at their options David Warren president of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities said that cost increases for colleges are similar to other institutions There are similar similar similar simi simi- lar expenses to worry about like insurance benefits pensions and higher costs for materials said Warren We are all working in the same economic climate At the same time Roz Heibert director of public information for the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Land Colleges said that today's public institutions are burdened by smaller federal and state contributions to education Schools are restructuring at a time when the government is cutting back funding Heibert said mentioning mentioning mentioning men men- the proposal to cut 10 billion from the higher education budget passed by both Senate and House committees The idea that we should be cutting back on money for education is ludicrous s |