Up and away

Next year's tuition hike to $28,899 is no surprise.

Every year subsequently, tuition manages to creep up in the thousands, unbeknownst to students. It isn't until we receive an official letter home that we realize the Santa Clara piggy bank is breaking our own.

As students it may seem like we are staring in a dark hole of financial angst. But this angst is not exclusive to Santa Clara. Other universities, locally and nationwide, are increasing their tuition prices as well.

According to CNN, it is estimated that tuition increases average about five to six percent every year.

This year, Santa Clara's tuition will increase by 6.5 percent. Believe it or not, but Santa Clara's tuition rises are on par with other universities.

Our tuition rates are based partly on competition. So if other like-minded universities have a certain rates, our rates will most likely be comparable.

Other like-minded schools in this case are the University of San Francisco's, whose annual tuition is $24,920 and Loyola Marymount University's tuition, whose tuition is $26,000.

So while we may chastise the university for its increased tuition rates, in reality it's like that at almost all private schools.

Education is becoming a commodity and more people are demanding it.

Why wouldn't universities raise their prices?

So while we might not like Santa Clara's consistent raises, it is necessary for us to accept them and to do all we can to take advantage of aid that is out there.

One of the costly factors universities face is financial aid. Universities want to insure equal access for all students, and in order to do this grants and merit-based awards are given out.

According to The College Board, in 2002-2003 nearly half of all undergraduates received some grant money aid, and about 60 percent of students receive financial aid in some form.

Santa Clara plans on spending $40.1 million on financial aid assistance.

It is only with hope however that this trend towards education inflation will lesson.

If not, there's the beauty of equal opportunity that Santa Clara prescribes in, and it comes in the form of a FASFA.

* Correction: An editorial last week incorrectly stated that the Library of the 21st Century was to be demolished. It is, in fact, Orradre Library.