Rate of College Increase Lowering

As I wait to hear back from people that have engaged in various career paths following high school, whether it be pursuing further education at a college or university or choosing a varying path from that, I have looked further into the cost of education. Astonishingly, I have found through my research that although the cost of college continues to "rise more rapidly than the rate of inflation, the rate of increase has slowed" compared to previous years ("New College..."). While this is excellent news to hear, it is still hard to believe that the rate has continued to rise in such a way larger than that of the rate of inflation. However, while the rate is still larger than that of the rate of inflation, students have found ways to compete with this by having Pell Grants increase "from 3.8 million in 1993-94 to 5.1 million in 2003-04 and to 9.2 million in 2013-14" as well as having "undergraduates receive an average of $14,180 in financial aid" which allow for students to have a greater chance at affording the price of college ("New College..."). Ultimately, until the rate of college price increases reach that of the rate of inflation, college will still be questioned to its ultimate worth by the people of America. To read further about the happenings to colleges in the past year, click here.

Money under the cap. Are colleges worth more than that?

Work Cited

"New College Board Trends in Higher Education Reports: College Prices Increase at a Slower Pace While Student Borrowing Declines for the Third Consecutive Year." The College Board. College Board, n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2014.

Congressional Movement

As I continue to seek out potential employees within various occupations, I have noticed that there has been a movement by congress to lower the burden that college places on students financially. This news is coming out of the Senate as head of the Senate education committee, Senator Tom Harkin, has proposed a bill with numerous implications for colleges and their perspective students. Within the proposed bill, one of the main proposals is “reinstituting a year-round Pell Grant, creating a streamlined income-based repayment system for student loans and creating a record system that would track student-level details, such as loan repayment outcomes and future earnings” which would allow for students to receive aid year round for their summer classes rather than just the fall and spring classes (Bidwell). If this legislation as well as others are able to be made into law, then the burden placed upon students would diminish making college much more accessible to people across various backgrounds. However, as it is currently in the process, the struggle of the cost of college must still be factored into the debate on the worth of college. For more information about the article click here.

Pictured Senator Tom Harkin

Work Cited

Bidwell, Allie. "Senate Higher Education Bill Focuses on Affordability." US News. U.S.News & 

       World Report, 20 Nov. 2014. Web. 05 Dec. 2014.