Parents Finding New Ways to Pay for College

The cost of education has been hitting national airways for some time. Tuition and boarding costs are rising and parents are trying to find new ways of paying for their kid’s education. Changes have occurred over the past decade indicating additional reliance on tax benefits and grants. A 2013 report entitled Trends in Higher Education by the College Advocacy and Policy Board helps highlight how parents and students are paying for education and making ends meet. 

The report outlines the results of a study analyzing trends of how parents and students are paying for college. An average of 2002/03 fees and tuition for full-time students were $8,760 and rose to $11,960 in 2012/2013 marking a 37% increase. The addition of room and board raised the cost from $16,480 to $21,030 respectively.

In 2012/1013 tax benefits and grants covered 36% of total charges, 26% were covered from student loans, 38% of the costs were covered from other sources. Over the past decade their out-of-pocket costs raised $1,330 and loans covered an additional 2% of costs.  The use of federal unsubsidized loans increased while the use of private loans decreased.

The cost of public four-year public colleges increased dramatically over the past decade. With 40% of students enrolling in public four-year colleges the costs of tuition and fees raised $5,210 in 2002/2003 to $8,660 in 2012/2013 marking a 66% increase. Room and board costs increased 45% over this period. The report indicated that public four-year colleges had the largest increase in cost when compared to 2-year colleges, private colleges and for-profit colleges.  

The study summarizes its findings by indicating that parents and students are relying more heavily on grant aid and tax benefits to pay for most of their college expenses when compared to a decade ago.  The use of loans increased slightly but was not the main source of funding. By understanding the trends it helps to make adjustments to ensure that college education is within affordable reach for most students. It is this access to higher education and the use of that knowledge in beneficial ways that help society create new knowledge for advancement and growth. 

You may Read the Report HERE

2013 Academic Resource Conference San Diego California

The WASC Academic Resource Conference has ended as a positive success with new research and approaches being presented. The conference focused on new education models, student assessment, competency based education, and many other aspects of the modern educational experience. Academic administrators and leaders piled into the Hilton Hotel in San Diego between April 10^th and 12^th, 2013 to learn about the latest trends. 

Of interest at the conference were the results of a number of studies that included student assessment, preparedness of current students entering college, teaching values, and a push to graduate students within four years. These concepts fit well within the genre of the conference topics and provided some insight into some of the struggles that modern colleges face. 

 

The research on student preparedness indicated that a large percentage of students entering into college are unprepared for the academic work at the college level. Somewhere along the line public education failed to raise their skills to an adequate level. They were weak on math, reading, writing, and other basic skills forcing some colleges to provide remedial education to pick up their levels. Such students were at risk for dropping courses or becoming academic causalities when they couldn’t overcome the challenges.

 

In addition, a presentation on basic value systems and its assessment were included as one of the presentations. This assessment included a self-assessment and instructor assessment of student values such as integrity, leadership, honor, and other constructs. As a methodology I believe this is beneficial to teach students what these concepts are and encourage them to think of their career development upon that line. Today’s students become tomorrow’s managers and leaders and should have developed the right personality characteristics.

 

Furthermore, modern analytics and software are used in student assessments that encourage better levels of learning performance. These new assessment tools are used to help encourage growth and development across a number of different vantage points. Colleges, who feel the economic crunch, are seeking ways to encourage stronger and more accurate learning assessment to justify their approaches and societal value. 

Hosted at the Hilton San Diego Bay Front the facilities offered an

amazing view of the bay where ships of every type make their way to port. Coast guard cutters, military battleships, private yachts, and sail boats all come in for docking, supplies, and maintenance. From the upper floors of the Hilton one can see a great distance and get a pretty nice view of maritime happenings and ocean front.

The Hilton hosts a number of restaurants which include Bay Breeze,  Fox Sports Grill, Odysea, Vela, Starbucks, Sweet Things, and more.  There is enough variety to satisfy just about any need. For conferences the hotel offers over 1,100 rooms, wi-fi, and plenty of conference room. Staff are well trained and willing to provide excellent service, directions, or help. You may view the hotel at http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/california/hilton-san-diego-bayfront-SANCCHH/about/index.html

WASC-http://www.wascsenior.org/