The impact of tuition fees on accessibility is of great consequence. Our knowledge of the factors that impact students' decisions is so lacking that the tuition debate is critically uninformed. The assumption that student aid can help low income students is highly dubious. It is doubtful that, even at current or lower tuition, access is secured for low income students. A student's choice to continue their education beyond secondary school is made well before the point of matriculation.
Tuition provides only a secondary barrier in the choice to attend university.
It is as erroneous to assume that low tuition will encourage more students to attend PSE as to assume the opposite will deter students. The paradigm of rational choice is seriously flawed. A myriad of socio-economic, cultural and individualistic factors have a bearing on the PSE decision. If a tuition policy is to find broad support within the university community, it must understand this concept. While evidence that price affects accessibility and enrollment exists, the magnitude and significance of that impact is still hotly debated.