How many people in our society would yearn for higher education? But does everyone have equal access to it? This argument surrounds the negative impacts of higher education cost in America and how many intellectually qualified high school graduates cannot afford tuition to enter even the cheapest of institutions, known as the community college.
A recent research on Florida Memorial University located in Opa Locka Florida, revealed that the cost per semester, when all courses were considered, to enroll in a Bachelors of Science 4 year degree program was $6,175 per semester for in- state students with an additional $2,000 if the student wanted to live on campus. Out of State international non resident population pay three times the regular cost. It added up to $24,000 more per semester.( “ Florida Memorial ”)
Why is the cost of tuition and text books in America so exorbitant? The average wage of a young student, who leaves high school without a degree, is between $10-12 per hour. How many hours work does that student have to do to earn income for one semester at a college? The community colleges even though advertise a cheaper rate isn’t so much cheaper.
A recent visit to Broward community college inquiring about the cost of completing an Associate degree in Nursing revealed that for an 18 month course it costs $6,000 exclusive of books, which totaled another $6,000 for the pre qualification classes and the entire course. Even though that is much less costly than, $6, 000+ a semester at a University it was still high for 18 months. Unbelievably, the out-of-State cost for the same course is $24,000. ( ‘Broward Community College”)
How could American colleges attract international students unless they are awarded scholarships? How could the colleges in America attract more intellectuals from this society if they cannot afford tuition, purchase books and even travel to college on the bus or maintain a car? It can be argued that financial aid and student loans are available. Many middle class Americans do not qualify for financial aid. Either they earn too much or too little. Besides ,there are agencies in the community that know about the hardships students face finding money for college. They capitalize on this phenomenon by sending invitation letters for workshops promising help in applying for this valuable commodity, financial aid.
These are other imposters within the social arena, further exploiting resources of people legitimately yearning for a place in the social structure through affordable education. There are poor under developing countries in the Southern Hemisphere that offer free education from Nursery of University to their citizens. Why can’t developed nations afford to provide better social services for the nation?
Education is power and when a political administration withholds educational opportunities from segments of the society it is called social injustice. Then, this issue of exorbitant tuition costs; escalating student loan interest rates and unbelievable cost for books ought to be addressed at congress for enforcement of legislation making post secondary education accessible to every citizen of this nation.
Gone are the days of Jim Crow laws when segregation pulled certain ethnic groups from participating the social structure as educated humans. Every citizen has the right to education without fees .Some doctors spend a life time repaying loans because they continued to pursue their dreams. What a shame on the system? In the end the professional never works to earn a decent salary based on the money spent on tuitions. So from where comes the exploitation. Sure! It is within our social structure organization. The time is now for this to be addressed politically.
Works cited
“Future Prospective Students.” Broward community college (2011): n.pag. Broward
Community College. Web. 3 May 2011. http://www.broward.edu/future/
“Prospective Students.” Florida memorial university (2011): n.pag.Florida Memorial. Web 3rd
May 2011. http://www.fmuniv.edu/
"Prospective students." Florida memorial University (2011): n. pag. Florida memorial. Web. 3 May 2011.
