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The recent cuts in public expenses for public colleges and universities do not only concern present and future students, but although almost every company in the United States. The economic success of a company greatly depends on the potential of its employees. Therefore, companys do have a strong interest in well developed public educational systems. In the United States, more than three-quarters of undergraduates are studying in public colleges and universities.

Due to the recent recession, all states of the United States were forced to cut their expenses for public colleges and universities. As a result, schools raised tuition. Additionally, they reduced lots of their services. Phil Oliff, an author of a study on the impact of state education cuts issued by the liberal-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, says: “It’s a really dangerous trend, because tuition will keep growing beyond what increasing numbers of people can pay.” Experts estimate that the trend to cut the financial support for public colleges and universities will not stop over the next few years. Eleven states of the United States already cut their expenses by more than a third. California, for exemple cut its higher education aid from nearly $ 3 billion in 2007-2008 to about $ 2 billion currently, which is a 29 percent drop. 

In some cases, the lower budget for public colleges and universities even means fewer acceptances of high school seniors. Due to the cuts of financial support, The California State University had to refuse the applications of about 20,000 qualified applicants every year for several years.

Already over the last few years, student loan debt has been growing. Two-thirds of students graduate with loans, the average debt is an amount of $ 26,600 USD. Additionally, students must face the fact that college costs have risen faster than the availability of grant aid.

Quelle: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/03/26/3941824/college-affordability-is-a-struggle.html

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