The other day I was speaking with one of my coworkers about returning to school to change my career.  We were talking about the hours I will have to work to support my family and how difficult it is going to be to juggle my studies, my job and my two young children.  She asked me about the tuition costs.  She mentioned that when she attended the Technical College it was FREE!  Even when I went to college the first time the two-year colleges were about half the cost of the 4-year Universities.  Today they are about equal, with no relief in sight.  Maybe we need to step back and take a look at our college tuition programs and find a way to keep costs down, give those who otherwise couldn’t afford it a chance to get the education they deserve and provide new financial aid.

            Since the rising cost of tuition and escalating use of financial aid are directly correlated, wouldn’t it make sense that if tuition costs decreased the use of financial aid would also decrease?  Not only would graduating students be less burdened from debt, but there would be more students graduating.  The colleges and universities that are struggling for enrollment numbers and funds would see an increase in both.  The decrease in funds from the initial decrease in tuition payments will be offset by the increase in student enrollment.  Schools might also see an increase in graduate student enrollment.

            Providing new and inventive financial aid assistance may also help non-traditional students go back to school and finish their education.  For example, there is not a financial aid program geared toward adults whom have already established a way of life, i.e. spouse, children, or mortgage, that have decided to go back to school.  They may qualify for some sort of funding, but it would be beneficial to the schools, students and the lending institutions to develop a loan program that requires a student to have a previous degree, children, a mortgage or be a certain age or any combination of the foregoing. 

            It’s time for schools and other funding agencies to think outside the box and start a program that will benefit both the students and themselves.  Our entire economy could turn around if we can increase the worth of the American dollar and what better way to do that than invest it in our futures?