Being a college student and as a resident of Arizona, this is unfortunate that students drop out of school because they're not able to further their education due to school expenses custom living. After reading the Arizona Republic article “Which of Arizona’s Public Colleges Are Affordable. I started thinking about what the word “affordable” really means for students like me. The article compares tuition prices at public colleges and universities in Arizona such as ASU, UofA, and community colleges.
It all points out that even though some schools claim to be affordable most students still struggle to pay for everything that comes with college like tuition, books, transportation, rents, and food. It made me realize that affordability is not just about numbers on a school's website but about how hard students have to work to survive while getting a degree. A recent study by the Education Data initiative Showed the average cost of attending a public college in Arizona including tuition, housing, and other expenses is around $14,000 a year.
Aa CNA and college students living in Arizona, I see this struggle every day. I work to pay my bills, buy gas, and keep up with school expenses, but it often feels like I'm constantly running just to stay in place. Even as a Community College, the cost add up fast and financial aid doesn't always cover everything. The article I read reminded me that students in Arizona are in the same position, trying to balance school and work, sometimes even skipping classes or cutting hours of sleep to manage both. According To the Arizona Board of Regents, tuition at public universities has continued to rise each year, which adds to the financial pressure for students already balancing work and school.
What's also stood out to me is that while scholarships and grants exist, they don't always reach the students who need them most. For example, Scholarshipamerica.org points out that even with aid, students from low-income families still face a big affordability gap. According to IHEP students who received Pell Grants do you have average unmet need of nearly $10,000, while students from families with more resources often have almost no unmet need.
I think Arizona Colleges can do more to help working students. More flexible payment options, free textbook programs, or monthly financial support for low-income students who make a big difference. A recent article from Youth Today explains how students' mental health, housing/ food security, and stress levels are deeply connected to whether college is truly affordable. Reading this article made me realize that affordability isn’t just a financial issue; it's about equality and opportunity. Arizona has done a lot to improve access to education, but for many of us, getting a degree feels like a daily fight for balance.
Ultimately, true affordability isn’t just about lower tuition but it’s about giving students the chance to learn without carrying constant financial stress. Until schools understand the real struggles students face, “affordable” will remain just a word, not a reality.
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