Several UC Merced students returned to campus on Friday from Thursday’s march outside the Board of Regents meeting at UCLA.The cost of attending a UC campus will soon top $10,000. That is triple the amount students paid about a decade ago. Some students say they don’t think it’s fair they’re taking the brunt of the state’s financial problems.
Regents say the state’s cuts to higher education forced them to raise fees, but UC Merced students worry that decision will leave them with more debt. Students will be forced to rely more on financial aid, student loans, and several jobs just to get an education.
Some students say they now plan to look at Community College or transfer to the CSU system, where students’ fees can be cheaper. The only problem is that some campuses, like Fresno State, are now capping enrollment. Students say the UC Board of Regents deserves part of the blame for the situation they are in, but they point the finger at state lawmakers as well.
UC Merced officials say donors have helped increase the number of scholarships available for students at UC Merced next year, but students say the fight over this 32% fee hike is not over yet. They plan to hold some type of protest on campus within the next few weeks.
