Money is tight

  More and more of high school graduates are seeking higher education to all these mighty postsecondary institutions. These same students are trying to navigate the transition between high school and college and that doesn't by any means exclude the late starters who decide to give it a try and head to college finally.

 The nations most elite colleges for students upon admission approval comes with the expense of tuition. Now sets in the panic for the students, the parents, and others actively engaged in helping these students succeed. But sadly, the rising and increasing cost of higher education is one of the most difficult truths parents, students and all just Americans are facing. 

 Four-year institutions have increased tuition by 4% to 6% per year just since 2000. That's a 2% to 3% per year above inflation. Perhaps an alarming eye opener, now day graduates have been unable to command increased salaries to match these rising costs. Higher tuition rates lead to higher increased student loan balances causing students to delay in other aspects in their life such as buying a new car, investing in property or even starting a family. 

 In our typical market, prices do rise, and demands may (lets hope) gradually decrease. But it seems to be a bit different in higher education. With the availability of student loans, (Federal) it allows students to close the gap with what they can afford and the price of education. But with that being said can students really afford and are colleges increasing the price of tuition because of federal student loans.

I know that I have real life examples of what the cost two different colleges in my household are costing.

Example 1 of tuition for just one term. 

Example 2 of different monies that can be accepted and denied. Lots of student loans to put a student in debt

Example 3 of a different college and a terms tuition

Blog Post #1 Economizing with Opportunity Costs

    To go to School or not to go to School..That is the question~ Starting post secondary education at a University is normally the choice of most graduating high school students versus going to a community college right off the bat. Economically however most households can't afford to send all their children, let alone more than one at a time.
 
    I chose to forfeit College for a few years after graduating even though I had a scholarship to help pay for some of my college because my older brother graduated a year ahead of me and was also attending a University at that moment and even with a scholarship it was still costing money for him to be able to attend to his full potential. I chose to weigh the options of economic restraints it would have on my parents vs if I stayed back for a little while longer and just worked a full time job and saved up money to help put towards my tuition.

   I now have my own family and my own set of kids and am facing the same set of economic issues with schooling and money. I am attending a community college while I have one child in another community college and I am helping pay her tuition and in 2 month my 2nd child is starting college at a University. If it wasn't for the help of financial aid and scholarships, I would probably have to get a 2nd job and have to leave college myself for the better of my kids and to make sure I am 100% economically involved in my family's financial stability and supporting all their basic needs.

   Community College vs. University Colleges are solely based on the amount of money that a person/household can afford. In all reality a family of 5 with both working and a child graduating even from a population statically speaking at a 80% graduation rate still wouldn't be able to afford to send one child to college without the help of assistance.