According to the Alabama State Treasurer’s office, tuition for 135 hours of college credit will cost students approximately $80,000 at a four-year institution by 2022. Currently, Alabama students pay approximately $35,000 for a four-year degree.

UNA is not an exception in the recent tuition increases. UNA’s tuition for the 2009-10 academic year was $167 per credit hour, and for the 2010-11 academic year tuition was $185 per credit hour.

UNA provides students with financial assistance through Student Financial Services. The department provides students with financial aid and guidance during their stay at UNA.

“We are here to help you,” said Shauna James, scholarship manager with Student Financial Services.

Many students believe they cannot get financial aid, James explained.

“Everyone can get loan money; it doesn’t matter who you are,” James said.

James recommended talking to community organizations students are typically involved in, as these organizations typically have scholarship funds and look for students to give this funding to.

“There is money out there,” James added. “You have to be willing to sit down and do it.”

According to James, the number one thing students forget to do is fill out the federal application for student aid, or FAFSA, before getting to school. She urged students to fill out their FAFSA as soon as possible to ensure they get aid for the fall.

“You really have to budget your money,” James said. “Be patient and get out there and take advantage of all the money you can get. Take advantage of the resources that are out there.”

But to take advantage of the resources available, the student has to be reachable.

“Always keep a check on your UNAPortal account,” James stressed. She said students forget to check their e-mail and miss deadlines and important announcements regarding their financial aid status, scholarships, grants or loans.

James said money is not going to be handed to students. She said getting a scholarship or grant is not easy work.

“You have to be patient as far as scholarships go,” James said.

James recommended students take advantage of on-campus employment. She said students can take advantage of working on campus and the flexibility that on-campus jobs allow students.

Students like UNA junior Stephanie Nix worry the tuition hike will increase the need to get outside financial aid, such as student loans. Nix said she has used student loans for every semester of her college career.

Nix currently attends UNA on a federal Pell grant, paying just a portion of what her overall tuition costs.

“[I have to get student loans] because the Pell grant doesn’t cover everything,” Nix added. “Even for the two classes I am taking this summer I still have to pay $177.”

“I just wonder what is going to make the tuition go up so,” Nix said. “I suppose inflation over the next 20 years would do it, but if tuition goes up, and it is because of inflation, then everything else would raise in price, and minimum wage would go up to.

“I was one of those students who didn’t think they could afford college, but there are scholarships, grants and loans out there that can help.” Nix explained. “You just have to be willing to work at school; most of those things depend on grades.”