The voice of De Anza since 1967.

La Voz News

Advertisement
The voice of De Anza since 1967.

La Voz News

The voice of De Anza since 1967.

La Voz News

California Community College consider raising unit fees, De Anza fees would rise from $17 to $27

     As the budget cuts continue for California Community Colleges, an option is being considered that could assist all college students. The Legislative Analyst’s Office has proposed to raise De Anza College quarterly tuition fees from $17 per unit to $27. Other community colleges would have semester increases from $26 per unit to $40.
Students polled were surprised to hear about this proposal, each with differing opinions. While some were slightly reluctant – paying more seems to be instinctively bad – some feel that it may benefit students further down the road. Brian Zhou, a 19-year-old mechanical engineering major at De Anza, said “I am definitely against it, but I don’t mind it too much since it is still the cheapest form of college education. I understand that the extra money is needed to pay for the many programs that community colleges offer, such as [the] honor[s] program and campus clubs, but it still bothers me knowing that the tuition is going to increase.”

     Transfer or seasonal summer students had differing opinions. “I don’t think I would mind, but that’s because I go to a UC full time, so our increases have been much worse,” said 18-year-old De Anza summer student Lily Sung, a public health major.

     Though these increases may appear discouraging by adding to today’s struggling economy, limited job availability and high textbook prices, there are many hidden advantages. Even with rising prices, CCCs still have the lowest fee revenue in the country.

     The LAO is working towards publicizing the new federal tax credit provisions that can allow California to obtain millions to support higher education. But how does that affect the average college student? For those who are in financial need, all fees are waived, leaving them with no negative impact. Students eligible for financial aid can receive help in paying for a portion of their fees. These students can find affordability in the Board of Governors fee waiver program.

Story continues below advertisement

     However, those stu dents who do not qualify for BOG fee waivers can still receive federal financial assistance through prospects such as the American Opportunity tax credit, Lifetime Learning Credit, and tuition fee tax deductions. Fee-paying students barred from financial aid can then pay the full cost of unit fees and textbooks, but be reimbursed in the future through federal income tax credit. Some students can even qualify for partial tax refunds of up to 40 percent of their expenses.

     “Each year the state provides some finite amount of money to community colleges…the lower the fees, the more of that state aid will be used to subsidize non-needy students,” Director of Higher Education at LAO, Steve Boilard, said, “If you raise fees, you’ll free up more money that can be used for other purposes, such as opening more course sections, expanding student services, such as counseling and libraries, and reducing class sizes. These kinds of actions could benefit all students.”

     In addition to this, the LAOs general goal is, as Boilard says, to establish “a meaningful fee policy that would make annual fee increases gradual, moderate, and predictable. But we currently have no such policy, and so fees sometimes go up, sometimes go down, and usually remain unchanged. This is not good for students, for CCC, or for the taxpayers.”

     The current student fee revenue for 2008-2009 was $300 million, but by increasing prices to $40 per unit in years ahead, CCCs could reap up to $225 million in additional revenues – funds that could contribute to assisting students on federal tax benefits.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

La Voz Weekly intends this area to be used to foster healthy, thought-provoking discussion. Comments should be respectful and constructive. We do not permit the use of profanity, foul language, personal attacks or language that might be interpreted as defamatory. La Voz does not allow anonymous comments, and requires a valid name and email address. The email address will not be displayed but will be used to confirm your comment.
All La Voz News Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest