Student Loan News, Updates and Blog Posts

It has been reported that many Universities throughout the country are freezing 2008-2009 tuitions at last year’s levels in an effort to help make college more affordable for the nation’s middle class. Thanks guys, but you’re about a decade too late. This initiative reminds me of the movie Jurassic Park when they were discussing how much they would charge people for the amazing Dino Amusement Park attraction (before things went terribly astray). They could charge anything they wanted and they knew people would pay it. When someone asked what about the common man the lawyer replied, “We’ll have a coupon day or something.” Well, this coupon has come much too late.

Freezing tuition rates sounds good for the papers but there are a number of ways schools can still hike up the cost on you. Perhaps room-and-board costs will be increased, like was the case at Ohio State University who bumped up cost by 5.8%. Maybe out of state tuition will be increased. How much is your parking decal this year? You probably won’t even notice the few extra dollars attached to your text books. One way or another they can and will get you.

Don’t be disillusioned by newspaper headlines. Do your research. Look at the tuition, room-and-board, books, parking, meal plans, and other transportation costs (such as gas) when making your decision. These costs add up quickly and end up taking years to pay off for many.

One thing I don’t want to see is you driving frantically in a jeep with a T-Rex chasing you down looking for money. Who needs that stress? I’d rather dine on Dino burgers.