The California State University’s Board of Trustees has announced tuition hikes over the next five years that raise the price to attend $342 a year through 2028-29.
The 6 percent a year increase will end up topping out at 30 percent overall due to the financial instability facing the CSU system.
“I feel like maybe it’s not fair to people who are financially struggling and gives them less opportunity to go to better schools,” said Igmarty Martinez.
Although if you have most if not all your tuition covered by scholarships, grants, waivers and non-loan aids it is said that you will not be affected by these tuition increases with 49 million going to help those funds.
CSU currently charges $5,742 for tuition but once the tuition increases students will be paying around $7,452 in tuition fees.
With these tuition increases it is looking like more California students will be turning to community college or looking to extend their time at a community college.
“It’s something that makes me glad I go to a community college,” Giovanna Ortelli said, noting that she feels she will need to work a full-time job while going to school to be able to pay for school. Delta’s yearly tuition fee is on average only $1,104, but roughly two thirds of it’s 18,756 students get free tuition through the promise grant and AB19 free tuition program. Those students being full time or first time students.
This will most likely will be less rare in the future for many California students. CSU currently has 23 campuses including much-sought transfer destinations for Delta College students, including Sac State, Fresno State, Stanislaus State – which has a Stockton satellite campus near downtown – and CSU East Bay.
“The tuition increase will generate $148 million in revenue in the first year (2024-25) with $49 million going toward financial aid support for students. The five years of the tuition increase will generate a total of $860 million in revenue, with a commitment of $280 million of that revenue for financial aid.
This will be the first tuition increase for CSU in over a decade.” noted the CSU website calstate.edu.
The system’s Chief Financial Officer Steve Relyea said “The revenue from the tuition increase is essential to provide the CSU with the financial stability it needs to continue to serve students today and in the future.” According to the CSU website calstate.edu the price increases are necessary for CSU to be able to serve students, since the system is currently facing a $1.5-billion deficit.
Still, the sticker shock of higher tuition makes Delta students not too thrilled about being charged more for a future CSU education.
“I feel like it’s really unfair for the students who just want to go to school and they’re taking advantage of them for their money,” said Malik Monroe.
Monroe is not the only one who feels that way.
“I think they’re crazy,” said Emily Cristerna.
Not all students, though, were negative in their reactions.
“Honestly since I’m at the beginning I really don’t have an opinion,” said Santiago Santana.
The increased rate will go into effect at the beginning of the 24-25 academic year.