Rutgers Tuition Increases Again for Fifth Straight Year

Rutgers students have mixed emotions about the 1.7 % increase in undergraduate tuition this year at Rutgers University.

While school officials have called the increase in tuition costs “modest but necessary,” some students are frustrated and are confused as to the reason why the tuition went up, which is an increase of about $241.

Meme Fletcher, a player on the Rutgers Women’s volleyball team, says that while she is currently on a full academic scholarship, she is annoyed that her rent has gone up another $447 and questions the reasons why.

“Every year, things tend to be more expensive and I’m not really sure why,” says Fletcher.

Fletcher feels that students are bringing in the same amount of money each year from working small jobs to pay for college and despite this, the tuition continues to go up. In other words, she says wages haven’t gone up enough to match the increase in tuition.

The rising tuition though has hit the ones who are paying directly out of pocket harder, making it more difficult for them to afford a good education.

Ethel Osorio, a commuter from Clark, is one of those students who doesn’t necessarily see the tuition increases as something that is good or bad but simply hard.

“I feel the University needs to pay certain things but it just makes it hard sometimes. As a commuter too, it doesn’t really help me at all or make things any easier,” Osorio says.  

Osorio, who commutes a half hour to school each day, says she needs money more for things such as gas for her car and school supplies. She says her Mom is paying 100% out of pocket and isn’t getting any type of federal aid or supplement, which makes it difficult for herself and her family.

However, the general consensus among the students was questioning exactly what the additional money was going toward.

Some students, such as Jon Spilletti, speculated that the money could be going toward the Athletic department but said that this wouldn’t necessarily be a help for the students.

“Is it going to the Athletics department? Is it going to the faculty staff? The student body? We really don’t know,” says Spilletti.

Spilletti said he expects a backlash from the student body because nobody is certain what the increase in tuition is for. He feels the increase would be more justified and understandable if it was clear what the extra money was intended to help.

Many students such as Spilletti did say though they would be in favor of tuition increases if the money would be used for the betterment of the student body and student services on campus.

“If it means better classrooms, a better and more efficient bus system, better dorms, then I’m all for that. But, if it doesn’t go toward things that positively affect the student body, then the increase is meaningless,” Spilletti concluded.

The tuition for students at Rutgers University has steadily increased over the past five years. The question remains whether it will increase again for the 2017-2018 academic year.