Testimony of Mr. Scott Ross
Executive Director
Florida Student Association
Tallahassee, Florida

Committee on Education and the Workforce
Subcommittee on 21^st Century Competitiveness

July 10, 2003

Florida Student Association (FSA)
Position on Tuition Increases

Florida students are an integral part of each university community and must have a meaningful say in the setting of annual tuition rates, as well as helping prioritize how student-generated dollars will be spent at each institution.

In 2002 The Division of Colleges and Universities is reporting that Florida is 48 out of 50 in the nation for in-state resident post-secondary public undergraduate tuition and fees. They cite the "Washington State Higher Education Board National Comparison Survey on Tuition and Fee Rates for 2000-2001". The survey does report Florida as 48^th; however, the survey only takes into account six of the State University System institutions.

Along with the rising costs of tuition, students also have to balance the costs of health care, transportation, living expenses, incidentals, insurance, textbooks & supplies, room & board, and other costs of instruction. For example in 2000-2001, the cost of attendance at the University of Florida is approximately $11,000 per year, far exceeding the $2,256 in tuition and fees. Leaving nearly $8,700 a year (or 80%) a student still has to fund in order to pursue their education (University of Florida, Office of Student Financial Assistance 2001).

On a yearly basis, consumers face price increases for products and services. However, if these following alarming numbers (a 21.09% increase per year) were insurance rates or country club dues, the consumer would definitely consider alternative products or services. Since 1995-1996: (This does not include the 8.5% tuition increase for resident students, as well as an up to 15% increase for non-resident and graduate students for the 2003-2004 school year).

• Tuition has increased by* 39.2%

• Student Fees have increased by* 25.7%

• Books have increased by* 30.4%

• Room & Board has increased by* 54.2%

• Total increase 149.5%

* Calculated on a 30 credit hour academic year

The College Board reported that a record 90 Billion Dollars in Financial Aid was awarded in 2001-2002. It noted that more than 54% of that Financial Aid was awarded in the form of Student Loans. Large increases in tuition are forcing our students to take on large debt loads in order to attend college, and in some cases these debt loads become unmanageable upon graduation. In a report entitled, Empty Promises: The Myth of College Access in America," formulated by the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, it stated, "…due to record high financial barriers, nearly one half of all college qualified, low and moderate income high school graduates—over 400,000 students fully prepared to attend a four year college—will be unable to do so, and 170,000 of these students will attend no college at all."

In difficult economic periods, state funding tends to fall not only for public institutions of higher education, causing tuition to rise, but also for student aid programs resulting in decreasing financial aid for students. This causes a double shock for many students as they face increased tuition and decreased aid. The government must become creative and full fund higher education, so as not to balance a budget crisis on the backs of students and their parents.

Across the nation, many public post-secondary students faced alarming tuition increases for 2002-2003. A majority of these universities have one common denominator – tuition is not controlled by the legislature, the state or local board approves tuition (the Chronicle of Higher Education data reports 80 percent of the largest tuition increases were set by local or state boards of trustees). If tuition control is given to university boards of trustees, students and parents can expect sizable tuition increases over the next few years.

The Chronicle of Higher Education recently released its nationwide report on public 4-year postsecondary institutions with the largest tuition increases (by percentage and overall dollar amount). Upon surveying the institutions and state governing boards, FSA research noted that the top 10 nationwide increases were all set on the local level -- albeit a state or local board.

FSA supports the current process of tuition setting by the Florida Legislature, with the check and balance system of gubernatorial veto. Without fiscal constraint, postsecondary access for eligible students will be minimized.

The Chronicle of Higher Education recently released its nationwide report on public 4-year postsecondary institutions with the largest tuition increases (by percentage and overall dollar amount). Upon surveying the institutions and state governing boards, FSA research noted that eight out of the top ten (80%) largest increases set tuition on the local level -- albeit a state board or local board.

FSA supports the current process of tuition setting by the Florida Legislature, with the check and balance system of gubernatorial veto. Without fiscal constraint, postsecondary access for eligible students will be minimized.