<p>What in the... D:</p>
<p>Didn't read the message till today. Holy crap. The amount of aid I'm receiving is barely enough for me to live on. Well, there will never be enough money to go around... but dang, 15% increase in tuition out of nowhere...</p>
<p>OOS? or instate?</p>
<p>please elaborate…</p>
<p>Is this for all of the FL state schools? I am waiting for the expected increases for a state school (not in FL) myself and am worried.</p>
<p>Yeah, we’re still lucky though, Florida has some of the cheapest tuition rates in the country, even after the hikes. It’s statewide, cpt.</p>
<p>I live near the University of West Florida and am just now learning of the approval of the 15% tuition hike there. The decision was made yesterday and I know a lot of students personally who are completely outraged. The tuition hikes are going around all over the U.S., and the crazy thing is that OOS students will NOT see a hike in their tuition. Students in Alabama will also see a hike in their tuition, but I’m not sure of any other states. Google and I’m sure there’s plenty more dealing with this. </p>
<p>On one hand I understand the hike, because there were major budget cuts and whatnot so our schools in Florida are going from state-supported to state-assisted. They need the “extra money” from students to cover where they’re lacking. The rates on student fees will also be going up. On the OTHER hand, I disagree with the hike and am upset because as students, we already come out of pocket for so many college-related expenses, and so many of us end up paying SOMETHING out of pocket for tuition in one way or another. </p>
<p>Higher education is a privilege and I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to have been a college student for the past 3 years, but I understand why a lot of people shy away from the idea of attending college. It’s becoming more and more expensive, and the amounts of funding and aid are become more scarce each year.</p>
<p>This is what happens when we let a demon like Rick Scott run the state. I mean I know the hikes are happening around the nation, but still, he hasn’t done much for public education.</p>
<p>This is not a surprise. State U’s in Florida were given the ability to raise tuition by 15% a year until tuition reaches the national average several years ago, and tuition in Florida remains the 3rd lowest in the country. Every one of the top and middle tier U’s said they would ask for the full 15% a year for several years. This started long before Rick Scott, not that I care for him. [Another</a> year, another 15 percent tuition hike for Florida universities - St. Petersburg Times](<a href=“http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/college/article1160489.ece]Another”>http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/college/article1160489.ece)</p>
<p>USF trustees today also approved a tuition increase for all undergraduate students that will get tuition to the 15% increase annual cap allowed by the state. Interestingly, the USF trustees also okayed lowering fees 15% for out-of-state students; the out-of-state students will get hit with the new tuition increase too, but they will get a big reduction in the surcharge fee they have to pay in addition to Florida resident tuition. USF wants to be more competitive attracting out of state students–students who add diversity to student body and extra money to USF’s pocketbook.</p>
<p>[USF</a> trustees approve tuition hike, Sun Dome renovation - St. Petersburg Times](<a href=“http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/college/usf-trustees-approve-tuition-hike-sun-dome-renovation/1174218]USF”>http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/college/usf-trustees-approve-tuition-hike-sun-dome-renovation/1174218)</p>
<p>I’d rather pay more tuition than have to cut programs and such from the school. Quality education/experience is worth paying more for. If they have to raise tuition, they have to raise tuition.</p>
<p>They also lowered BF from $125 to $101 per credit hour. :|</p>
<p>It’s time to riot like the students in the UK, lol. I know I’m late, but when I saw the email I was annoyed. My financial awards for next year isn’t enough when the 15% increase and the ever increasing housing & parking fees (and all the other fees><em><) are factored in, not to mention books. Our state has the lowest tuition rates in the country but we also have the 4th highest unemployment rate. Clusterf</em>_k…</p>
<p>We’re also seeing this occurs in Illinois. My sister attends northern Illinois university, which is an average school. They charge about $9,000 for in state, and the prices are still rising. It’s a wonder that many kids at my high school are taking their chances and not going to college, based on money and expenses. I am grateful my parents have my other siblings and I under Florida pre paid, and I can’t imagine that stress other students who don’t have it is experiencing. I will agree on the point stated above, Florida is fairly cheap for tuition, compared to others places.</p>
<p>While I know it is frustrating to see these increases, if you compare Florida in state tuition to other states, you will see what a tremendous bargain Florida schools are. These increases are to try to bring Florida in line with other states. The Bright Futures decreases angers me more than the increases. Where exactly is all the lottery money going? Obviously not where it was intended to go!</p>
<p>The problem with Bright Futures is that the standards have been too low for way too long. Need based aid like grants do what they’re supposed to by providing aid for those who are not financially well off. Bright Futures is supposed to reward those who have worked hard in high school but having a GPA of 3.0 and an average SAT score of 1000 is not working hard. Bright Futures has been strained for many many years because of this. The requirements were not that tough to attain for the lower scholarships.</p>
<p>I agree that the Bright Futures standards were too low. My issue is not with them raising the standards. I do resent that my son and so many others worked hard with the intent of having 100% BF only to see it changed to a per credit award and then reduced now even further. He held up his end and it stinks that the state is not holding up theirs. A $720 per year reduction (at the top level) is a big cut that many of us in the middle class will find difficult. We happen to fall right where we apparently make just enough money to not qualify for aid. Guess I would have been better off sitting on the couch eating bon-bons instead of helping out the family. The aid would have been more than I make…lol</p>