Tuition Increase Causes Struggle for Future UVa Students [Revised]

Tuition Increase Causes Struggle for Future UVa Students

As reported by the Daily Progress, The University of Virginia recently decided to raise their tuition for both in-state and out of state students. In-states student tuition has raised by $486 or 4.7 percent, while out of state tuition has been raise by $2268 or 6.2 percent (UVa board approves tuition increase). This puts a strain on current and future UVa students that are also struggling monetarily. Even to the middle class, the amount needed to pay for tuition puts them at a disadvantage. With the amount needed to sustain a household of four, sending even one of their kids to college causes financial struggles for years to come. The options are very limited to what they can do; taking out a loan and joining the military seem to be the only two solid options. Applying for scholarships are also an option, but those are unsure and others are constantly applying for them, minimizing the availability of money.

Not only is this a problem at UVa, but a problem at all colleges. Average people who want to achieve higher education have a harder time getting into any school because of their finances. Around the United States, the economy has made it harder for normal people to earn the money needed to send their children to higher education, which continues the cycle of the poor staying poor. To fix this problem, the cost of living wage should be raised, especially in the city of Charlottesville.

The reason why minimum wage should be raised is mainly because not only is getting into college a financial struggle, but sustaining a stable household is difficult as well. An article by the Huffington Post states that if Minimum wage was to keep up with worker productivity, it would be at least $21 in 2012(Minimum Wage Would Be $21.72 If It Kept Pace With Increases In Productivity: Study). Some states refuse to increase the minimum wage because they believe that it will hurt business. I believe it will be quite the opposite, with the increase of minimum wage, people will be encouraged to buy more and shop to support businesses. That could also help the economy in the long run, essentially giving the government a hand in ending the deficit.

Earlier in the year, Obama proposed that the cost of minimum wage should be raised to ten or more dollars, but so far the issue has been left up to states. Currently, the minimum wage in Virginia is $7.25 per hour; barely enough to sustain a household of two. I believe to help with the issue, Virginia should raise the minimum wage to at least $11.11 per hour. Not only to assist with college cost for the next generation, but to help with daily problems that families go through. With the rise of minimum wage, families who have always wished to send their children to college may now have that chance.