College costs are a major issue for many students and their parents. With tuition, books, housing and other fees, the numbers quickly can add up. And according to a new study by the College Board, such costs are on the rise.
However, the amount of student financial aid available nationally also is increasing, making higher education more affordable for many students.
According to the report, tuition and fees at four-year public universities average $4,081 for the academic year, a 9.6 percent increase from last year. In addition, room and board costs average $5,582, an increase of 6 percent.
However, a total of $90 billion in financial aid was available to students in the form of scholarships, loans and grants.
According to the Office of Budget and Planning, University tuition and fees were lower than the national average for Louisiana students, but higher for non-residents. Louisiana residents paid $3,536 in the academic year for tuition and fees, while non-residents paid $8,836, twice the amount of the national average.
However, the University also offers a substantial amount of financial aid to students. Statistics from the Office of Student Aid and Scholarships show more than $11 million in scholarships was given to students this year.
Also, more than $71 million was available to students in the form of loans and grants, an increase of more than $3 million from the previous academic year.
Room and board costs at the University substantially were lower than the average, at $3,088 per academic year for residence halls and on-campus apartments.
Most students feel the University’s tuition and fees are reasonable. The main problem for many students is the cost of books.
Bonny Fielding, a biological sciences junior, said with TOPS, many Louisiana students receive help with tuition costs. But, Fielding also said books for most classes are too expensive, especially since it can be difficult to sell them back at the end of the semester.
Candice Barton, a nursing junior, says University costs are not unreasonable, but “books costs way too much. It’s ridiculous.”
Most students think while financial aid is available for students, information about scholarships and loans is not publicized enough.
Bres Burvant, a political science graduate student, said he thinks steps should be taken to make getting financial aid more student-friendly.
“I think they could be made more accessible,” he said. “A lot of people think that to get a scholarship you have to have a 4.0 or something. There should be better resources.”
Fielding said she does not think enough students apply for financial aid. “I know that there are a lot of scholarships and other stuff out there, but I think a lot of people don’t even try, because they don’t think they can get it and it’s a long process.”