About 50 University of Arizona students went to a hearing Monday to tell the Arizona Board of Regents what they think about the rising cost of college.
"Looking toward the future and the grim reality that is my financial situation, I'm truthfully scared of what is to come. … I'm scared that I might have to reconsider actually being a student here," UA student Alisha Raccuia told the regents.
Facing deep state budget cuts, UA President Robert Shelton has proposed to raise next school year's base tuition and mandatory fees 22 percent, to $10,027 from $8,237, for in-state students. He would raise the cost for out-of-state and international students by 4 percent more, to $25,487 a year from $24,596.
The regents plan to vote on the proposal April 7.
Some students don't pay the full sticker price. The average net price - the tuition paid after subtracting financial aid - was $2,662 last year.
Some students borrow to pay for college. About 44 percent of UA students are in debt when they graduate, with an average debt of about $20,000. The median wage for new UA grads is about $32,500
"I feel honored to be allowed the opportunity to study at the University of Arizona, and I fear that these large tuition increases will prevent me from returning next year." - freshman Alexandria McClellan
How to contact
• Email: peggy. martin@ azregents.edu
• Write: Arizona Board of Regents, 2020 N. Central Ave., Suite 230, Phoenix, AZ 85004
• Fax: 1-602- 229-2555
On StarNet
For full statements of UA leaders at the hearing, go to Becky Pallack's higher-education blog at azstarnet.com/news /blogs/campus-correspondent/
Contact reporter Becky Pallack at bpallack@azstarnet.com or 807-8012.
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