The cost of attending one of Mississippi's eight universities will become more expensive starting this fall. MPB's Alexis Ware reports on the rising cost of tuition.
College students enrolled in a public university in Mississippi will soon be seeing higher numbers for their university's cost of attendance. Amid the state budget cuts, tuition at all eight public colleges is increasing at an average 6.6 percent.
Henry Goss is a senior mass communication major at Jackson State University. He is scheduled to graduate in December 2017. He says changes in state financial aid policies along with increased tuition are leaving him to consider other ways to pay for college.
"I have to sit down with my parents at look at what ways I can fund my schooling whether it be through taking out more loans or getting on a payment plan."
Jackson State is increasing tuition by five percent, which is among the lowest. Mississippi University for Women is experiencing the highest percentage increase at about nine percent. Tuition will go up to about six thousand six hundred dollars for the year.
Jim Borsig, President of MUW,says increased tuition is a challenge for students, but there are financial aid options available.
"We're working with students on a daily basis. Our foundation raises money for scholarships and we continue to revise our scholarships and practices with university foundation resources."
Borsig says before raising tuition, other changes took place to accommodate the university's loss in revenue like combining academic programs and job positions and eliminating vacant ones. The changes in tuition costs will begin in the upcoming school year.
