The 6.8-percent tuition increase for the 2000-2001 academic year is obviously something that will affect almost all Saint Louis University students.
However, this increase, about $1,200 for undergraduates, will hit some students harder than others. Not all students have the luxury of sending their tuition bills home to be paid by their parents.
“When you are personally responsible for paying your own way, an extra $1,200 is a huge amount to have to come up with,” said sophomore Eric Nolan.
Nolan, who shares the responsibility of paying for college with his parents, works 50 hours a week over the summer and has a job during the academic year to help pay for his tuition.
“Right now I’m not sure how I will cover the tuition hike. My plan is to get a better-paying job over the summer and continue to work at night,” said Nolan.
Freshman Julie Ferris is facing the same pressure. “My biggest feat right now is trying to figure out my finances. I have a work-study job, work every summer and every break, but I’m not positive I am going to be able to afford it if this trend of steep increases continues.”
“The Office of Financial Aid has been helpful-I hope that continues,” said Ferris. “There are rumors that SLU isn’t here for its students. I hope that’s not true and that they work with me like they did in the beginning.”
Ferris intends to take out more loans to cover the difference in tuition, but she admits that makes her wary. “I realize that I will have to deal with these piling loans when I graduate, and that scares me. I could be facing up to $40,000 of debt by the time I finish up here.”
Despite the financial pressures, Ferris says she really wants to stay here at SLU for all four years. She says she values the private education and Jesuit tradition.
She loves St. Louis, the feel of the campus and the friendliness of the people. “I could go to a state school and get a good education, but I think SLU offers a different type of education, and that’s why it’s important to me to do everything I can to stay here.”
Not everyone shares the same sentiments.
Freshman Cab Gutting says that she plans to go back to the Office of Financial Aid to explain her situation. “Depending on the amount of my shortcoming, it is quite possible that I will not be back here in the fall because of finances.”
Assistant Director of Financial Aid Sandy Pritt says that helping students adjust to the increase in tuition is a challenge this year as it is every year. “It consistently goes up, and there is no quick fix or one answer. Every case is unique.”
“I cannot over-stress to students the importance of filling out the applications for financial aid as early as possible,” said Pritt.
When students are faced with financial pressure or fear that they might not be able to return to the University because of cost, there are several things the Office of Financial Aid can do to help students.
“Any student can come in and meet with a financial aid counselor. We encourage students to do so, especially those with unique or changing circumstances. The most important thing is for them to come in and talk about what they are facing, though I realize this can be a difficult thing for them to do.”
Pritt is confident that the Office of Financial Aid can help students who are panicking about paying tuition next year. “Yes, we are forced to be creative, but there are loans and scholarships out there. We always do our best to help students in any way we can.”
