Tiffany Liao
Staff Writer

Rising University of California (UC) and California State Univeristy (CSU) tuitions have prevented many students from pursuing their dream schools in state.

Students have watched as tuition for public universities in California has increased tremendously over the past decade.

For the 2011-2012 school year, the UC system has increased its tuition by 18 percent, while CSU schools plan to raise its tuition by nine percent.

“Why do UC colleges have to continue to raise the cost?” asked economics teacher Doug DeVries. “Where is the money going?”

Tuition is rising is due to a $650 million cut to UC and CSU state funding of $22.1 billion, according to the California State Budget.

But two recent proposals may help students pay for college.

One of the proposals was advocated by a group of UC Riverside students in a club called Fix UC.

This club suggested that students pay nothing during their college years, but they pay five percent of their salary for 20 years after they graduate.

UC president, Mark Yudof, was impressed with the proposal, and thought it was an interesting plan, according to NPR News.

But students at Cal High have different views on this plan.

“It’s a flawed plan, and it would be hard to pull it off,” said senior Danette Leung. “What if the person doesn’t pay the five percent of their salary? Then schools would have problems. What if the person died, then how can you pay for 20 years?”

Students are also concerned that the unstable economy may prevent college graduates from getting jobs, making them unable to pay back tuition.

“There aren’t that many jobs, and it’s hard to find jobs that give decent money,” said junior Vivian Ko.

Others believe that the proposal would not bring relief to students, but instead bring more pressure to their lives.

“It leaves people in eternal debt,” said junior Avery Cham-berlain.

The “five percent future-tuition” plan could be overwhelming and hard to handle for some students.

“It adds onto your already monthly, daily, or yearly expenses which could affect some people that can barely afford ford everything,” said junior Jon Akkawi. “There are house expenses, loans, family, and all that other stuff.”

DeVries thinks that there is a possibility that universities will get the money back.

“If the interest rate is high, it would be a good idea,” DeVries said. “If it isn’t, UC’s lose money.”

Despite the possible complications, students believe there are also good aspects to this proposal.

They support the proposal because it is able to train students to be independent and responsible.

“It becomes the students’ ability to be independent and responsible for their education,” said Leung.

The other payment plan would provide scholarships to students whose annual family income is between $70,000 and $150,000.

This was proposed by California State Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez.

The scholarship would pay for one third of the tuition.

Students at CSUs would save $16,000 over four years, while UC students would save $33,000.

This plan will also give $150 million to community colleges to make tuition even more affordable. Taxing out-of-state corporations would cover the scholarships.
Many Cal students like this plan.

“The majority of students are middle class and they would appreciate financial help,” said Ko.

Students also think that the scholarship could help those in need.

“It helps people in trouble economically,” said Chamberlain. “People who need help get help.”

But other students expressed concerns with the plan.

“The schools would be overcrowded,” said Leung.

Some think that the requirements and qualifications to earn the scholarships are too vague and unclear.

“Many people would be able to qualify for the scholarship since the middle class is large in California,” said Akkawi. “But I really think that scholarships should be offered to anyone and they should be given to those who actually qualify and need it.”

Teachers such as DeVries see this issue in a different perspective.

DeVries thinks the tax on out-of-state corporations can be the downside to this issue.

“Corporations won’t want to do business with California,” said DeVries. “They will then go to other states because it’s cheaper in Texas (and other states), and California tax is horrible.”

Both new proposals hope to allow more students to achieve their ideal goals in college.

Counselor Cheryl Youngberg has a positive attitude toward the proposals.

“Most of the students here are eligible for four-year colleges, but they go into two-year colleges because of finance issues,” said Youngberg. “Both proposals have benefits.

“I’m glad to see some changes in the system,” she continued. “It makes it more realistic for students to apply for the four-year colleges.”

She thinks the proposals can help students go further in life.

“They open up more doors, open more opportunities,” said Youngberg.