The price of college is rising every year, but with this new year of uncertain proportions raises many questions about not only financing college but financing everything.

The world didn’t stop as the new virus swept the nation, people are still aging and need a sustainable way of living for the time after the virus.

This generation has been fed that college is one of the only ways to succeed, and it comes with plenty of struggle, the big one being of course cost. 

The price of tuition in colleges has been raised by almost 500 percent in the last 20 years with UNA’s tuition going from $2,512 to $10,620 from the year 2000 to now. Which raises the question of tuition cuts for when classes go online after Thanksgiving.

“In my opinion, yes,” said freshman Ben Allison. “We won’t be on campus unless you’re living there but that’s for the most part irrelevant. Classes will be fully online and there’s no reason tuition should stay at the rate it’s at.”

Wages throughout America are shrinking as jobs disappear and Florence is not an exception. Raises are being sidelined and businesses are not hiring as the virus destroys the economy.

When there is no money to be made by either student or parent of course payments will not be made by both online and physical students as they both have to pay the same. There has been a call for tuition cuts for years now but this might turn the tide in the consumers favor.

If not now, then when? If not now, then why? These questions have remained unanswered by all colleges, not just UNA. The price of college is becoming more than what it is worth with most graduates struggling to find jobs, and those who do, struggle to find security in today’s economy.

The competition is fierce and reward minimal with most trades making more yearly income than a lot of college graduates will.  As well as the movement of technology creates a shifting job market making some jobs outdated before students get a full use of their degree.

We truly live in an uncertain time, not only do we have to adapt but so do Universities such as UNA. The price of tuition has not been viable for a while and that is the case now more than ever. However, if tuition is cut, what happens to the yearly scholarships?

“I think that they will,” said Kyndyl Skeen, a Sophomore at UNA. “If tuition is cut then the scholarships might change the amount of money students receive for certain things like housing scholarships.”

If the university decides to cut tuition it would also have to change scholarships to ensure that the University doesn’t lose money. Taking promised money away from students will always be a walk on broken glass as some students rely on that money for more than just University costs. A shortage of scholarship money could mean missed rent or missed car payments and more student loans making the situation worse for some students.

There is no pure answer for everyone during this time, someone will always turn out worse than before. Creating a difficult decision for the university, and everyone is unsure whether they will make that decision or not.

“I fully doubt a tuition cut would happen, regardless of student opinion or anything of the sort,” said Allison.

The student body seems pessimistic as to whether these tuition cuts will happen as the University has always been a rock on these decisions sticking to its metaphorical guns. The change this year is not likely to happen but if this virus extends into next school year it will be sure to change as the screams will get louder as situations become more dire.

There are so many questions that are impossible to answer right now as things could change dramatically any day. One thing is for sure, change is coming, in every fashion, in every way, we just have to be patient and responsible with this disease, and remember, wash your hands.