Dependence on loans to pay for school has certainly increased. What we must remember too is that tuition increases turn into more debt than just the straight numerical increase because of interest. Students have few options to pay for other college costs that federal aid does not cover. Students are turning more and more to credit cards to pay the difference on tuition, for books or groceries. Both non-federal loans and credit card have astronomical interest rates and no student protections.
Aid comprises only part of what makes or breaks a student s enrollment and completion of college.
Early intervention and mentoring programs such as GEAR UP and TRIO before and during college are crucial to an at-risk student s success in college. Students, especially low-income students, often do not have the information in their high schools or families to learn about how to apply and pay for college. Without the TRIO and GEAR UP programs, many students would not go to college. Students have always actively opposed tuition increases. Students in North Carolina are fighting large tuition increases as well.