UL Pell Grants

[CajunFun]

Actually a 2 year-old story, but it re-surfaced in a story today:
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/...ll-vs-non-pell

Original Story:
Leveling the Playing Field for Pell-Eligible Students

A scholarship program at the University of Louisiana for Pell-eligible students receives additional financial and services, modeling supports in place for student athletes.

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/...ong-low-income

[60swerethebest]

Thanks for info on program. Dwayne had told me we were starting program but I had not seen any updates. We were getting good kids but their finances were such that even with Pell grants they were having to carry more than one job. I’ll have to ask him more about this program.

[CajunNation]

How much is current Tuition? How much is extra Fees?

[60swerethebest]

Spring semester
Tuition. $2,700
Fees. 3,800

Does not include additional fees for first time students and a few other fees like support old adjunct fees. That doesn’t exist but I’m working on it.

[CajunFun]

How much is current Tuition? How much is extra Fees?

When I was at USL, it was something like $350 per semester. Students could work full time during the summer, and pay all of their room, board, and tuition for the year. That was back when higher education was a higher priority.

At some point in the 90s we shifted from a state supported school to a state supplemented school.

I really don't understand it. The more college graduates a state has, the more the average income increases... not just for the college graduates, but for everyone.

The economy grows, standard of living improves, state revenues increase.

[60swerethebest]

Tuition was $34 per semester in 63.

[sportsfanatic21]

$854 a semester in 1996

[CajunNation]

Spring semester
Tuition. $2,700
Fees. 3,800

Does not include additional fees for first time students and a few other fees like support old adjunct fees. That doesn’t exist but I’m working on it.

This is INSANITY.

This is $6,500 per semester. The total in the 90's, 30 years ago, was around $1,500 per semester. This is a 400% increase. This is unsustainable. A massive correction is coming.

[60swerethebest]

My $34 tuition also reflected that LA supported higher ed at about 90% per student.
Tuition now controlled/capped by legislature. Fees allowed to make up shortfall.

[CajunFun]

My $34 tuition also reflected that LA supported higher ed at about 90% per student.
Tuition now controlled/capped by legislature. Fees allowed to make up shortfall.

I spoke yesterday with one of the top people in state govt, and one of the things that came up was tuition. I pointed out to him, and he agreed, this is an economic, not social argument. States with higher percentages of college degrees have higher average incomes (for everyone), better standards of living, and more importantly, the state has more revenues, without raising taxes.

Education is an economic program. The problem is, it's a 20- or even 30-year crop, the income is deferred a long time. Which is a mismatch with election cycles, where our officials are forced to pursue short-term returns. And no, I don't have an easy solution.

I do have one, however. And although the solution is harder and fuzzier, it's also the problem. Better-educated people understand the importance of making a few shrewd long-range investments. Like making education strong, and affordable.

Which is what UL has done since our founding. So many things that are bearing fruit now: research; doctoral and other degree programs; physical plant growth with multiple campuses; alumni donations and other support; stronger students; and yes, even sports; are the result of investments we made decades ago, or even over a century ago.

[cajunfan96]

My $34 tuition also reflected that LA supported higher ed at about 90% per student.
Tuition now controlled/capped by legislature. Fees allowed to make up shortfall.

Fees need to be capped and the waste cut! Invest in professors, more course offerings, classrooms, etc.

[60swerethebest]

Where is the waste? I’m sure it’s there. But where. In Engineering, each dept has ONE admin/scty person. Most depts have ONE lab asst. That’s pretty much staff at Dept level. Deans office has a larger staff that serves entire college. I imagine most colleges are same. Admin overall in Univ has been lean. We pushed to increase recruiting staff to reach out to more HS. Slight increase.
Research is already shorthanded in support. Paperwork suffers. Can’t afford to increase staff.
Again, I’m sure waste is present but I suspect it’s more likely not enough staff or not in most efficient positions. Just not a simple fix. I know T-Joe has spoken to all managers in Univ to find ways to reduce costs.