How many students are going to be quitting school because they cannot afford to continue?

With tuition fees being raised for the coming semesters, the question of “How am I going to get through school,” is one that many students now face, including me.

I am taking 17.5 units in an attempt to get through school as fast as possible so that I can start building my career. With the existing tuition fees, I have to work 40 hours a week just to keep up with my finances. I know that I am not alone in this situation.

There are many students on this campus, and on campuses accross California community colleges who work, attend classes, and study all hours of the day and fit in sleep when they can.

The answer to this dilemna would be to double the number of hours in a day, to match the doubling of tuition costs, so that students can pick up a second full-time job, but we all know that is just not possible.

Another solution would be to go from being a full-time student to a part-time student and spend twice as long in school. While this may be practical financially, staying in school longer would not be welcomed by working students.

While the state legislators are wrestling with curing the budget deficit, they are not looking at the longterm effects on our economy and the consequences of having a lack of educated professionals in all areas of society. If the current college population cannot afford to obtain their degrees and complete their career goals, the state is going to be in serious need of qualified professionals.

Who is going to take care of these legislators when they need medical attention?

Who is going to educate their children, if the majority of current college students cannot afford to finish their educations?

The quick fix tactics of the state legislators could negatively affect our economy for years and years to come.