With a tuition increase at City of Chicago Colleges – Wilbur Wright, students share their opinions on the positive and negative effects this could have. Insight by the Student Government Association is provided, giving backstory on this surprising development.
By: Yasmin Whitfield
On February 1, The City Colleges of Chicago voted for a slight tuition increase effective July 1, 2024. As students come to terms with the news, it is clear everybody has an opinion. However, there was an immense amount of concern on how this critical information was delivered. Students felt that email was an inefficient way to announce the news. In fact, the people mentioned in this article had not heard about the tuition increase prior to the interview.
Sophomore Kaylanie Mercedes Herrera Perez, a recipient of financial aid and a star scholarship, initially saw potential benefits. Last school year, she saw the introduction of the engineering platform on the 3rd level of the library. Similarly, she envisioned improved facilities and services with the new monetary raise. However, upon reflection, she acknowledged the burden this situation may place on her peers. It gives potential to an increasing workload and financial strain for those already struggling to currently cover expenses. Kaylanie remarks, "That [the increase] probably leads to more hours for them and crazier schedules just for them to pay a little more for school." Looking to the future, this could also impact participation throughout the school in classes, social events, or even sporting activities.
On the other hand, another student, who chose to remain anonymous, expresses frustration. They feel as though the college is extracting more money from its students than necessary. During the interview, they were trying to piece together where this extra money might flow towards. Are there areas at City Colleges of Chicago that need improvement? Despite receiving financial aid, they foresee the possibility of financial stress for themselves, peers, and families.
Another student that provided their opinion on this situation was Aaliyah Turner. She is graduating May 2024, and currently receives a star scholarship and financial aid. Aaliyah says, “I feel like it will definitely impact a lot of people, especially low-income families that they don’t have, just the financial means. Or like middle-class families as well, because they don’t get FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) [might not receive as much FAFSA as might be necessary].” Although the increase may just be 5%, she expressed that there should be more of an outpour of assistance provided to the students to help them deal with this development.
Providing insight from a distinct perspective, Yehuda Goldbloom, the student trustee for City Colleges of Chicago, shares the backstory behind the increase. He reveals, “Essentially, they proposed it in December 2023 technically at a board meeting, but they brought it to SGA and to everybody and faculty and all that in January 2024. Just before the board meeting where they were seeking to approve it.” However, the idea had been brewing since 2020, only sidelined by the pandemic in favor of prioritizing student well-being. So, unknowingly to the student body, this idea had been marinating for almost four years.
(This graph represents the tuition changes throughout an 8-year period, FY2016-FY2024 between local colleges compared to City of Chicago Colleges. Photo Credit: CCC Office of Finance)
As discussions continue, it is worth noting that non-in-district students qualify for in-district tuition if they work 35+ hours a week within the district—a potential positive aspect amidst the financial strain. As well as noting, this is the first time City Colleges of Chicago has increased their tuition since the fiscal year of 2016. According to a presentation by the Board of Trustees, “Since our last tuition increase [2016], City Colleges has gone from the highest tuition rate when compared to neighboring peers, to the second lowest rate in 2024.”
Comments