The Winding Path to College

We’ve all seen it.

The “Kodak” moment following graduation comprised of a cap-and-gown clad student waving a diploma. If you have scanned the “congratulations” greeting cards or random picture frames at your local we-sell-everything store in the past 10 years, you know what I’m talking about.

But what is it that makes this picture evoke such a strong feeling of accomplishment? What is it that encourages the public to buy so many of these cards each year?

The smile.

The smile on the subject’s face tells the whole story. The story of making it through elementary school without getting bullied; the story of journeying through middle school while bodies are changing around you; the story of adventuring through the mystic first two years of high school, and the conclusion of staying motivated through your last two.

The smile tells all.

Including hope for the future.

OK, sure. The student on the card most likely isn’t really graduating at that one point in time. And that same person is probably well out of high school as well.

But when you see a legitimate picture of a graduating student, you will find that there is a lot in the picture. I would say that in 99% of all graduation pictures, the student is beaming a smile.

Not just a regular smile, for in this grin, you can find various emotions. Happiness, bliss, relief, and perhaps concern to name a few.

“But why would be concern be added?” you may ask.

Well, because in these days, nothing is guaranteed.

Sure, we all want to picture a smooth transition from the beginning of senior year to the beginning of freshman year – grab that diploma and get ready to move out a month later. No problems, no regrets.

But, sometimes that is not the case. Numerous obstacles block the way from high school to college.

The biggest of which is money.

Higher education, which used to be reserved for wealthy, upper-class students, can add up to a hefty check. Nowadays, with the raise in demand and the troubling economy in mind, tuition is going up from its already staggering heights. On average, tuition is $6,585 for in-state schools and $25,143 for out-of-state or private schools. Keep in mind that these numbers are for tuition only, and not including the cost of food, books, boarding, and other personal expenses.

I know from personal experience that the out-of-state costs to Washington State University are $33,678, based on an estimated 7% tuition increase from last year. The figure might change when the state legislature sets the budget amounts for the next two years, however. The tuition alone for a non-resident is $18,990 a year, leaving room, board, books, supplies, transportation, and other necessities totaling up to $14, 688.

This isn’t your grandparent’s college anymore.

The government recognizes this struggle for higher education. And, with American schools falling to educational rivals India and China in science and math, they are doing what they can to help the American student achieve a shot at higher education.

Sadly, with the problems our country is having financially, they can only help so much.

A government Pell grant is a type of financial aid that comes directly from the U.S. federal government and doesn’t have to be repaid. The maximum award for the 2008-09 academic year is $4,731. The government plans to up this number to $5,350 next year. Typically, families with an income of less than $20,000 a year receives this award, but, with a new plan proposed by President Barack Obama, families making less than $50,000 a year will also be eligible as well.

Regardless, free money is always a great help. According to www.cliffnotes.com, in the 2005-2006 academic year, 30% of the average yearly cost was covered by the Pell grant.

Sadly, the money being given out is staying at a rather consistent rate, whereas the countries college tuition is rising. According to an article published on www.Tomdispatch.com, the cost of tuition, room, board and other expenses has nearly doubled over the past 30 years. So, the hopeful student is left relying on outside private scholarships and/or the dreaded student loans.  

Many less-income families have had to rely on student loans to get through college throughout the years. First off, nobody likes the idea of a loan when you are 18 years old, working a part time job, and going into a new phase of life. Second off, regardless of the size of the loan, the interest will add up. Interest rates can vary from 6.8 percent for student loans to 8.6 percent for parent “PLUS” loans.

Not something you want to keep adding up. After four years, the loan morphs from an annoying fly into Godzilla.

So for a country that bases its principles and ethics around going to college, they sure do make it hard to do so. If a family finds itself in the financial middle-ground, it is going to be a daunting task trying to graduate college debt free.

Not an impossible task, just daunting.