Fees have risen across the state at colleges and universities over the last few years, and this trend may soon carry over to the community colleges in California. Currently the UC and CSU systems are still relative bargains for higher education when compared to other colleges in the country. California community colleges are also a bargain, currently costing students $26 per unit, which is quite low compared to other U.S. colleges. Recently the Legislative Analyst’s Office provided a recommendation to the Legislature to increase fees to $40 per unit. Luckily the Legislative Analyst’s Office only gives non-partisan advice to the Legislature, but with the current budget issues, an increase in fees is likely to occur. However students who are struggling to pay the current fees and get into the classes they need are not very happy about a possible increase next school year.
Summer school classes at California colleges are already being reduced, which is making it more difficult for students to further their education and graduate. If students are going to continue to be charged more, the college system in California needs to step up their game and improve the conditions. California college students just want to earn their degree, and the state needs to do everything it can to educate our residents so they can help contribute to the economy. We need students to stay in California, and if students cannot afford an education or get into classes, then we risk losing them to out of state schools. When California residents move out of state to go to college they do not always return, which is not good for the economy of the state. The 2010-2011 budget continues to be worked on, and California students are anxious to see an update in May.
