Cypress College: The Cost Of Education

Knowledge is the key to success, but at what cost? Although colleges have been around in North America since sixteen thirty-six, community colleges have only been around for one hundred years. Community colleges offer an associate's degree that can be completed in two years and can be transferred to a four-year college, where they can complete their bachelor’s degree. Community colleges are generally cheaper and smaller than four-year colleges, but still cost a sizeable amount averaging three thousand five hundred dollars a year (College Board). Although the cost of community colleges is expensive from a front view, a free two-year college would create substantially amount of more problems than it would solve.

Community college is a place for all. Anyone can “pop their head in” (p 256) and will be invited with open arms to discover who they are as an individual and where they would like to go. Two-year colleges are not advertised to the parents but to the potential student

Students nowadays face many challenges when it comes to obtaining a college education. We evaluate an institution’s quality based on what we need the most. The qualities sought out may vary by each person’s personal point of view. However, as a student, I’ve found that most students seek for an institute that benefits them the most. Attending a community college has been an enormous advantage towards my education. I have been attending San Bernardino Valley College for the last two semesters. I have come to respect their philosophies and values. The institution has now been in business for 87 years. They venture to encourage both students and faculty towards high standards of achievement and progress into exceptional members of the society. They now offer a variety of degrees, transfer programs and certificates for a wide range of students. San Bernardino Valley College has an accomplished staff, student support services and technological tools that pave the road towards the conquest of a quality education.

The continuous rising cost of higher education is frequently spoken about today and deserves much more attention then it receives. College tuition for students is a rather large investment and considered to be one of the most expensive to make. As college tuition prices are continuously increasing so is the cost of housing. The average American family is finding it more and more difficult to be able to have a fair shot at affording to go to college. Although there are numerous possibilities, the cost of higher education for student is still too high and implementing a solid accreditation process and examining the student loan crisis happening could help improve a lot of problems.

Finally, the most difficult challenge students face in college is a financial hardship. Many students come from various walks of life and sometimes determining one’s financial capability to offset college costs during the early stages of can be problematic. Some students come from well to do families who have a tremendous capacity to pay full tuition without external assistance. These particular students do not require financial aid or scholarships, as they can meet the institution’s financial requirement regardless of what level in college they may fall under as the source of wealth is derived from the family or families. Other students, however, come from impoverished families whom solely depend on financial aid and work full time or part time

because I am a family man who has returned to school. I wish to finish my

In addition to my experience in advising and student affairs, I have also worked as a professional in financial aid for the past eight years. During my time in financial aid I have seen first-hand the challenges students face with the cost of obtaining a higher education degree. My role in financial aid has evolved over my career while exploring the theoretical

Community college is a great institution for students to start their educational journey. Especially when they do not have the funds or lack some of the prerequisite that a university would require. Community college was created to serve the community, traditional and non-traditional students with the best higher education and lifetime learning opportunities. The faculty and staff members at a community college is there to provide leadership in education while going above and beyond to recognize the needs of the students and the community by providing excellent educational programs and support services that are available to all who have the opportunity to take advantage of them. “Student services now include recruitment and retention, counseling, student activities, student health, financial aid, academic support, career centers, transfer centers, and supplemental services such as transportation, child care, and services tailored for specific populations of students” (Cohen, Brawer, & Krisker, 2014, pg. 209). My philosophy in fulfilling the role and mission of the community college, is to establish the mission, vision, goals and values to guide all students on their journey to strive to become successful both in school and in today’s economy.

Kris, a wife and a mother, worries about the increasing cost of higher education. She and her husband have a two year old daughter whom they are determined to send to college. They want their daughter to succeed in life, but they have to weigh the complications of going to college as well. “I have always thought about college as a “catch 22”...You’re taught from a young age that in order to achieve the “American Dream” you must graduate high school and go to college,” Kris contemplates (Kris 5).Throughout Kris’s ten years of experience with college, she has seen the tuition increase to shocking heights. In fact, she claims that community colleges cost as much as state colleges did when she first started her college hunt. Back then, she

Consequently, the absurd college and university tuition hikes have forced many prospective college bound students to shift gears on the journey to receiving their degree. In fact, many students have opted to start their college careers at a community college. Community colleges are designed to serve as a connection from high school to college by providing courses that are transferable to colleges or universities offering a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree and are generally more cost efficient. CNN Money journalist, Kim Clark reports that, “While community college tuition posted a sharp 8.7% gain, it's still a bargain: only about $3,000 a year for full-time tuition” (Clark). Clark also suggests that due to recent increases in federal grants and tax benefits, the average total aid was raised above the average tuition price of community colleges, therefore, “the typical community college student got the cost of

The graduation rates for community colleges are shockingly low. This is an issue that impacts Central Ohio Technical and the nation. The question is, what can be done about the costs of attending a community college in order to increase the graduation rates? An increase in the costs of tuition and fees, a significantly longer length of time that is spent in order to obtain a degree, and the inability to afford the gap in cost between financial aid and school costs, are all issues that pertain to the costs associated with attending a community college and their effects on the graduation rates of those schools. This paper will present these three issues along with a proposed solution to each one in more detail and present the best solution to this problem.

High school and college students across the country face the decision of whether or not to stay in state for their college education. The financial requirements of college can put a strain on many families. Young adults can also become lonely, scared, and lost without their families when attending college in an unfamiliar place. While college is already life changing enough the hassle of adjusting to new surroundings can be hard as well. Many Americans think that getting into a prestigious college and spending a ton for an education that someone can get for a much cheaper price at their local university is wise. The choice to go to an out-of-state college can affect the rest of someone’s life and send

Tuition cost plays a vital role in deciding whether to attend a community college or a four year institution. According to Susan Stafford, “Tuition for community colleges is affordable while tuition costs at public institutions are usually at least twice that of a community college” (1). The tuition cost in universities can be overwhelming and highly unaffordable, This have caused many students to graduate with s heavy loads of debt but by attending a community college, an individual can

Therefore, students begin dreaming of college; where they will attend and what they will become when they grow up. Unfortunately, the absurd college and university tuition hikes have forced many prospective college bound students to shift gears on their journey to receiving a college degree. One of the modifications made to the dreams of many, is college selection. Thousands of students have opted to start their college careers at a community college. Community colleges are designed to serve as a pathway from high school to college and most offer two-year transfer or university parallel programs that prepare students wishing to earn a bachelor’s degree from a four-year institution. Community Colleges are generally more cost efficient therefore, grant access to many more students desiring a higher education. CNN Money journalist, Kim Clark reports that, “While community college tuition posted a sharp 8.7% gain, it's still a bargain: only about $3,000 a year for full-time tuition” (Clark). Clark also suggests that due to recent increases in federal grants and tax benefits, the average total aid was raised above the average tuition price of community colleges, therefore, “the typical community college student got the cost of tuition and most textbooks fully covered” (Clark). According to the College Board, “four out of 10 graduating high school students begin their college careers at community colleges” (Why Community College?). Typically, courses that are

Cypress College has an array of services for students to take advantage and make use of to purse their academic goals. For many students, like myself, the goal is to transfer to a CSU or UC. Fortunate enough, students at Cypress College have the benefit of accessing the transfer center to ensure one is taking the correct course and have a smooth transition from Cypress College to the university of choice, as stated on www.cypresscollege.edu/services/transfer. The transfer center offers individual counseling, general education coursework check-sheets, and online transfer planning resources and link to ensure student success and extending their education to university level.