With state-funded higher education dollars decreasing and tuition rates increasing, a student advocacy group called Virginia21 and student governments across the Commonwealth are petitioning the Virginia General Assembly to increase funding for student financial aid through the recently launched "Campaign for Financial Security."
Sen. William Wampler, R-Bristol, and Del. Vincent Callahan, R-Fairfax, submitted a proposal as a budget amendment to ensure that the financial need created by tuition increases will be met. The amendment would designate $8 million each year for a new Student Financial Security Fund.
Virginia21 Executive Director Jesse Ferguson attributed the idea for the campaign to "a realization that we're going to continue to fight for full funding for higher education."
Ferguson said tuition rates are expected to rise at least 8 percent each year for the next four years, an increase that has severe repercussions for students.
"For every 1 percent increase [in tuition], you create one million dollars in student financial need," Ferguson said.
Although the tuition increases will impact students at all colleges in the Commonwealth, Ferguson said students at George Mason University and Old Dominion University need sustained financial aid the most. Many students at those universities work between 25 and 30 hours a week and are $17,000 in debt upon graduation, he said.
"Our real concern is that those students won't be able to afford the expected increases in tuition," he said.
GMU Student Body President Sarah Godlewski said a significant number of students have had to drop out due to rising tuition costs, while others have sought jobs to meet their financial obligations.
"GMU has the most students working than any other Commonwealth school," Godlewski said, citing that students on average hold two jobs in order to pay their tuition bill.
"Our students really and truly do rely on financial aid," she said.
Ferguson said Norfolk State University loses students every year that tuition rates go up.
Virginia21 is the country's first advocacy group for "tomorrow's generation," Ferguson said. It works on voter involvement, provides information and directs advocacy efforts towards the General Assembly on behalf of Virginia students.
Ferguson said Virginia21 and representatives from every public college in the Commonwealth are working to encourage students to take action in the fight to increase funding for financial aid.
"It's a very student-oriented issue," he said. "Students have the most credibility to talk about tuition and financial aid."
Alex Stolar, the University's legislative affairs chair for Student Council, said Council does work with Virginia21 but is not directly involved with the "Campaign for Financial Security" because financial aid is not a major concern at the University. The University will be able offer 100 percent of demonstrated financial need to all undergraduates next year.
"We recognize that every school has different needs and that it is a tremendous concern," he said.
Support for the proposal is already in place, Ferguson said. Currently over three-fourths of the members of the Senate Finance Committee are co-patrons of the amendment, in addition to the chair of the House Higher Education Subcommittee.
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