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February 14, 2011 in City
Students relying more on loans, jobs to afford education
Mercedes Sheffield works in the Holland-Terrell Library at Washington State University on Tuesday. Sheffield works three jobs.
(Full-size photo)
PULLMAN – Mercedes Sheffield works three jobs, receives state help to buy food and will graduate from Washington State University this year with more than $20,000 in debt.
Sheffield, a senior criminal justice major, is paying her own way through school with a work-study job at the campus library, as a security guard for football and basketball games and as a mentor for the university’s multicultural centers.
“I work over 40 hours a week,” she said. “I don’t have any secure financial support. I am receiving less support from financial aid each year, and meanwhile, tuition prices are rising.”
Sheffield is one of the many students across Washington racking up big student debt, driven by the rising cost of tuition and decreasing state support. In the last decade, the cost of tuition at WSU has nearly doubled to about $8,600 in 2010-’11 from about $4,500 in 2000-’01, when adjusted for inflation. Today, the average student at WSU graduates with $20,544 in debt, according to Kiplinger, a personal finance magazine.
In the past two years alone, WSU’s tuition has increased 30 percent as the university has attempted to plug the shortfall of millions of dollars in state funding, said Joan King, executive director of planning and budgeting at WSU. The amount of support WSU receives from the state has decreased by 30 percent – or $133 million – in the last 18 months.
“Tuition is increasing, and the state base is getting cut out from under us,” King said. “We’ve got students who are struggling to eat and go to school at the same time.”
That has triggered a profound change in the funding of Washington’s public higher education system, according to figures provided by WSU. For example, in 1987, state spending provided more than 80 percent of the cost of a college education at public universities in Washington; by 2013, if the governor’s budget is adopted, state spending will provide less than 40 percent, based on state projections.
It’s unlikely to end soon. Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire has proposed a 4.2 percent funding cut to the state’s four-year universities and recommended a 9 percent to 11 percent tuition increase. WSU needs to meet both a permanent $13.5 million reduction and a temporary $7.48 million reduction, according to the school budget office’s fiscal 2011 proposal.
“The way the higher education system is headed, the children of the wealthy are going to be fine,” said former WSU President Samuel H. Smith. The children of middle- and lower-income families, on the other hand, are going to be priced out of the market, he said.
Said King, “We’ve got to have some kind of change in how the state funds higher ed because we can’t just keep charging the students more.”
The University of Washington is expecting a 10 percent budget cut, but unlike WSU, no specific programs are being eliminated, said Bob Roseth, UW director of news and information. At the Seattle-based university, class selection is smaller, there has been a hiring freeze and class sizes have gotten larger in some cases, Roseth said.
At WSU, the cuts are more pronounced. The university has trimmed more than 1,000 courses from its academic catalog, cut more than 500 positions, and eliminated its rural sociology, German, and theater and dance programs.
Working to pay for school
Karie Gill has seen the effects of the shift in higher-ed funding firsthand. Gill, who graduated in December with a degree in public relations, juggled school and three jobs – barista, waitress and car dealership clerk – to pay for school and bills.
“I give up being involved with extracurriculars because I don’t have the time between my jobs and school,” Gill said last semester. “At times my grades will slip because I work too much because I need the money.”
Gill said she incurred about $2,500 in debt while attending Green River Community College, and an additional $27,000 in federal and private loans during her two years at WSU.
“Having to (start to) pay the loans back six months after I graduate, with the economy and the possibility of not finding a job, is going to be really stressful,” Gill said. “It’s a lot of money to have to pay back.”
The maximum amount of public loans a student can take out at WSU is $23,000, said Chio Flores, the school’s director of financial aid and scholarships. If a student hits that cap, he or she must search for loans in the private sector.
Gill took out private loans through Sallie Mae and Discover, in addition to federal loans. She also received $11,000 from a relative to help pay for her first year of college.
She said she gave up a dual-focus in journalism so that she could graduate on time in order to reduce additional financial and emotional strain.
Like Gill, Lindsey Keatts, a junior secondary education major, said she feels that she is losing out on the college experience because she needs to live with her family for financial reasons.
Keatts commutes to her two Pullman jobs and school from Clarkston. She works a combined 40 hours a week as a desk assistant at a residence hall and at the Pullman Walmart. “There’s stuff that goes on with the school that I have no idea about because I’m not in the right area of campus, because I’m living (off campus) with my family in Clarkston,” Keatts said in an interview last semester.
The effects of student debt
Students like Gill, Keatts and Sheffield are experiencing the emotional, physical and academic consequences of student debt.
Sheffield said working three jobs and trying to focus on academics is emotionally stressful, and she believes she would get more out of her education if she didn’t have to worry about money all the time.
She receives $200 a month in state assistance for buying food, support she said she appreciates.
“I have so much to pay for, and like I said, it’s almost impossible for me to do it alone,” she said.
Anecdotally, it seems that more students are using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – food stamps – although state records don’t indicate whether recipients are college students. Still, the number of people participating in the program in Washington increased 15 percent from October 2009 to October 2010, according to the state. Meanwhile, Smith, the former WSU president, is fighting to prevent additional cuts to higher education to help students like Sheffield.
“We’re going to be fighting for increases in higher education, but the way the budget is looking today, the odds of them increasing is slim to none,” Smith said. “We’re just hoping to not have another cut.”
1992 murder trial begins against sex offender 
berrybestfarm on February 14 at 7:26 a.m.
About 30+/- years ago our community colleges had no tuition cost. Now it is near what our universities charged. Tuition has nearly doubled in inflation adjusted dollars in the last decade at WSU. The middle and lower class are being priced out of a higher education. I have 2 questions. What has changed in the past generation to make higher education so much more expensive and what has our state shifted the money to? Does anyone have answers or links?
mikeln on February 14 at 7:55 a.m.
I don’t think there is a link to unbrideld greed. How are these students going to survive coming out of school so far in debt with little prospect of employment? We need to take a good look at how we educate america if we want to come anywhere near the top. Of course the way I see it is the right doesn’t want people educated, they will not be able to be brain washed into believing the crap that comes out of fox, or for that matter, any news.
Ninch on February 14 at 9:01 a.m.
Regarding paying for federal student loans when out of school… one can get forebearance and/or income-based payments so quit whining.
I worked my way through a 5-year WSU program and at that time students could not get food stamps. I also had no rich relative or parents to help me out. Yes, it would have been great to be able to focus 100% on studies and have extracurricular activities, but that was not available to me. Instead one develops a strong work ethic (looks good on resume) and appreciates the value of a dollar. Again quit whining and get on with it.
Note: When the feds increased the Pell grant, Washington State decreased its need grant by the same amount.
Yes, WSU has become very expensive and not such a good bargain because of dropped courses and programs. My son is now a science major in college in another state at a good private university that offered a financial aid package much better than the public universities he applied for. Also using the Western Undergraduate Exchange Program, one can attend public universities out of state without paying out of state tuition. Most are at 150% of in state tuition, but New Mexico State University charges in state tuition. Students need to shop around for the best fit.
Ninch on February 14 at 9:27 a.m.
“Of course the way I see it is the right doesn’t want people educated, they will not be able to be brain washed into believing the crap that comes out of fox, or for that matter, any news.”
Even your leader Obama agrees that all Americans (even the right) support education for everyone. Some just do not want the public education system nationalized.
BTW: Some of the most educated and experienced journalists are now employed by FOX, many of them liberal but also objective reporters. FOX has the largest viewership because it actually reports a large variety of factual news in addition to its “opinion” shows. Unfortunately, CNN keeps cutting its budget and is left with fewer reporters and thus tends to be limited in its subject matter.
Note also that Fox Network owner Rupert Murdock is one of the most “progressive” with his newly introduced internet/no ad news product (only available via iPad). He sees the future, whereas the left keeps harping on the past, often rewriting history to justify their accusations against the more conservative.
hawken on February 14 at 9:43 a.m.
30+ years ago I was offered a “full ride” football scholarship to Grand Canyon Community College (Phoenix), and NAU Flagstaff. I chose NAU. We didn’t win the National Championship as EWU did,,,, “Congrats Again Eagles!
Both Grand Canyon CC and NAU had tuition’s.
If,,,, WA Community Colleges had no tuition 30+ yrs ago, it was during a time when the state was not totally broke as we are today.
What we are facing today is unprecedented, with the exception of FDR’s extended, Great Depression by 7 yrs, due to his original, Obama like policies. Back then called the “New Deal.” Which ever since, has haunted us as a “Bad Deal.”
Since you apparently know when WA Community Colleges didn’t charge tuition, I would be interested to know when they first did.
SpokyDaBear on February 14 at 9:46 a.m.
Ninch–- Five years at school for a four year degree?
what a loser!
Did you repeatedly fail your classes?
SpokyDaBear on February 14 at 9:48 a.m.
Hawken… the state is only broke because they invested too heavily in the stock market.
We are paying for their bad mistakes.
hawken on February 14 at 10:12 a.m.
I forgot to mention,,,, my 32 yr old son used student loans, worked his tail off at two jobs, Dominoes pizza delivery and the “high noon” sandwich shop, delivery pizza and sandwiches. He did not live at home with us. He and some buddies rented a house in town.
He graduated from EWU with dual 4 yr. degrees in Business Management and Marketing. Yes, it was tough. But, he is rightly proud of his accomplishments. He did it and he is a better man for it.
He will tell you that because it cost him for his education, he was more focused and successful than he would have otherwise been. He’s now working at one of our local TV stations in marketing.
SpokaneLiberal on February 14 at 10:15 a.m.
Ninch
Yes a student can do forbearance, deferment, and income based repayment. However with two of the three interest still accrues, so if you are unemployed for two years while you don’t have to pay anything the debt will go up substantially. You also get a maximum of 3 years, lifetime of forbearance.
You definitely have to search to find a good financial and potential match in college.
Note: not all schools accept WUE or it can be restricted to a certain number of students.
Yes I think working is good, but not every student can get a job in this economy and the state has cut work study by 50%. Makes working your way through tough even if it is a desireable option.
MrNatural on February 14 at 10:19 a.m.
It’s a dang shame that education costs make it so difficult for those who cannot afford it.
My folks were middle class poor and could not afford to send me to college. I joined the service primarily to get the G.I. Bill so I could go to college…and did so…and still had to work full time. There takes a lot of effort to aspire to higher education these days because of the exorbitant costs…Good Luck Kids!
SpokyDaBear on February 14 at 10:35 a.m.
If working two or three “stupid” jobs through college is so good, why don’t we start charging for highschool and make those kids work a bunch of jobs too.
And hawken, if you had to pay for your college and you still made your son pay for his, you are a selfish parent who would rather go to Vegas and blow your money instead of helping out your son.
Obviously, your education never helped you financially. You would have been better off not going and working instead for the cable company.
zelda on February 14 at 10:43 a.m.
A few words of advice for these young people. Pick better majors! There have got to be at least a million kids schlepping around the U.S. with useless degrees in criminal justice, PR and communications. Why? Because they’re easy. This is going to sound mean but the honest truth is that colleges and universities love/love/love these programs because anyone can get in and most eventually graduate. A liberal arts degree in English, history or anthropology has 100 times more rigor than these courses.
It’s too late for a lot of these students, but kids in high school need to study hard and aim for degrees with good earnings potential. That means substantive fields of study involving math and science. And knowing a second language is an enormous advantage, too.
SpokyDaBear on February 14 at 11:05 a.m.
Sure, Zelda, I bet you make a bunch of money with your degree.
No doubt, you tell your kids to get several jobs and take out loans for college, because either you are too cheap or too broke to help pay for it.
And now you are handing out advice?
SpokaneLiberal on February 14 at 11:22 a.m.
I make 32K a year with a four year degree. I have a degree in math and environmental studies plus I speak 2 languages.
Then again I am not really working it the high paying fields right now because they aren’t hiring without 3-5 years of field specific experience.
rightsideofthestate on February 14 at 11:45 a.m.
My daughter is studying at U of I, eight miles from Pullman. Her out of state tuition is around $7K/ per year (WUE program) which means an Idaho resident pays less than $5K per year. She’s married, works part time and pays for everything herself. It’s tough, but it can be done. My younger two are attending community college, the older will graduate this spring with a professional Interior Design degree and start job hunting. I’ve helped them all with school and living costs but it’s worth it so they can start out life without being in debt. It takes a committment by parents and kids to pursue education, but be smart about what you spend the money on.
oneanddone on February 14 at 12:01 p.m.
Higher education would be less expensive if it focused on learning rather than the “college experience.” How much does a university waste on sports and clubs and the “college experience.” There are MANY ways to limit your cost but a lot of kids are like 2 year olds. They want what they want when they want it. Attend SFCC for the first 2 years. Live at home. Work for 2-3 years and save every nickel. And parents need to understand that they brought these kids into the world and their responsibility doesn’t stop with kindergarten. You’re selfish SOBs if you won’t help your kids. Maybe don’t buy that boat, or big screen tv, or new car, or take that vacation. Start thinking about your kid’s future. It’s just like retirement. Stop expecting someone else to bail you out from your own selfish stupidity.
zelda on February 14 at 12:48 p.m.
Actually, SpokyDaBear, I do make a lot of money with my degree. People in my family believed in education and they all had advanced degrees in math/science fields — engineering and medicine — achieved with academic scholarships.
And then there’s the concept of life-long learning, which means you always need to be studying and acquiring new skills. A hefty helping of curiosity about the world around you is a huge boon because you will discover that even seemingly mundane things are the result of myriad applied sciences.
Sadly, though, there isn’t a cure for willful ignorance. And another sad thing is that a lot of this student debt cannot be discharged through bankruptcy. This is a deplorable effect of the marketing of over-populated degree programs. There are millions of people who now are essentially indentured servants to their debt.
hawken on February 14 at 12:52 p.m.
SpokyDaBear
My liberal left friend…. you should not speak of what you do not know.
My son chose to do it himself. He is a man of principle and integrity. On the one occasion he was in a severe bind, we helped him. He asked once.
My son understands hard work, personal responsibility, sacrifice, integrity and reward.
All of the above is sorely lacking today among too many, including you and the liberal left who wants little more than “government entitlements.”
SpokyDaBear on February 14 at 3:14 p.m.
So PigeonHawk, what you are saying even with your college degree, you still could not afford to pay for your son’s college education, even if you wanted to?
greenlibertarian on February 14 at 11:30 p.m.
He graduated from EWU with dual 4 yr. degrees in Business Management and Marketing. … He’s now working at one of our local TV stations in marketing.
A dead end career if there ever was one. Why did my tax dollars go to waste “educating” this person if they don’t know what the future holds for actual, productive BUSINESS ventures? TV ad revenue is in the toilet, and will continue to be.
I want my money back.
Did he at least take classes in Mandarin, at my expense?
Rand on February 15 at 2:07 p.m.
I think it is clear that we need a public option in education. How else are we going to control the skyrocketing cost of education? We need to take the profit out of education. Just think of how affordable the University of Washington would be if it wasn’t an evil for profit multinational corporation.