Friday, Jan. 27, 2012

Merced College tuition rates see $10 hike this semester

Merced College raises cost per unit to offset state budget cuts

Merced College Los Banos Campus students will see their semester fees go up by $10 per unit this summer, just about the same time changes affecting students' financial aid eligibility take effect.

Students will see their fees increase to $46 per unit this summer, up from $36 per unit, said Anne Newins, vice president for student personnel services at Merced College.

The fee increases, which have affected community college students across the state, are the result of state budget cuts. The increase is the second since last fall, when fees increased to $36 from $26 per unit.

On average, classes are three units, which means students will pay $138 for one class. A full-time student taking 12 units could pay $552 in semester fees alone.

The community college fees have more than doubled since spring 2007, when the cost was $20 per unit. That year, the fees had actually decreased from $26 per unit. Prior to spring 2007, the last time the state's community college fees decreased was in 2000 when fees dropped from $12 to $11 per unit.

Alejandro Arellano, 18, a history student at the Los Banos Campus, said he was shocked by the increase and said he's doing his best to make ends meet while attending school and working in the library.

"I'm trying to save as much money as I can, because I'm moving to Northern California to finish my studies," Arellano said.

Those in financial straits can also expect less assistance.

New federal regulations will go into effect in the fall that affect financial aid and Pell Grant eligibility, said Sharon Reinhardt, director for financial aid at Merced College.

Specific details won't be revealed until later in the spring semester.

The federal government is trying to come up with a strategy to notify schools and students, Reinhardt said.

Psychology major Maria Resendiz, a 19-year-old Los Banos student, said she's not worried about her financial aid or fees, but it affects her friends who worry about being able to afford it.

"I have friends who think twice about school now," she said.

The financial aid changes could also affect students attending University of California and California State University campuses.

Brenda Ortiz, UC Merced spokeswoman, said campus officials haven't done an analysis to see what percentage of its student population could be affected by the changes.

"Once we evaluate the changes, we'll get the word out and make sure everyone is taken care of and aware of the changes to help meet their needs," she said.

Faviola Birrueta, 19, who wants to study fashion design, said she just started looking into the Los Banos Campus. She was attending school in San Francisco, so the junior college fees don't faze her.

"Over there it was like $1,000 per class," Birrueta said.

Enterprise reporter Thaddeus Miller contributed to this story.

Reporter Yesenia Amaro can be reached at (209) 385-2482 or yamaro@mercedsunstar.com.