We are starting to get calls are colleges offering tuition discounts when students go to online classes for the 2020-2021 school year? Coronavirus outbreaks on campus following the arrival of students have caused a number of major universities to dropped their plans for in-person classes for the fall semester and are offering exclusive online instruction.
The shift to remote education has left many students and parents upset that they are asked to pay the same amount for what they see as a lesser learning experience. Students at dozens of universities have started demanding tuition discounts.
A handful of schools have started to lower costs. Georgetown and Princeton are among universities that decreased tuition by 10 percent for the fall. However, many other colleges from elite private universities to publicly funded state schools are charging the same price despite going entirely online.
Students and parents seeking a tuition discount concur that it’s unfair for schools to charge the same amount of money for an inferior experience. The spring semester showed that online classes are not nearly as effective as in-person instruction, they argue. Beyond the educational point of view, students are missing out on the benefits of on-campus life, which will help guide their decision to enroll in the first place.
Many say a tuition discount would show that colleges understand the tough financial circumstances many students and their families are experiencing amid economic difficulties and unemployment brought on by the pandemic.
Universities say requests for a tuition discount ignore the extreme financial stress the pandemic has put on colleges. Declining enrollment, lack of housing revenue from dorms and the cancellation of sports mean many schools are losing millions of dollars in revenue. Even with tuition at normal rates, some smaller colleges may have to shut down because of the severe financial blow. While holding classes online may seem cheaper, the logistics of building a remote education system from scratch have actually made things more expensive at many schools.
Some say decreasing tuition right now would ultimately hurt low-income students. Lower tuition revenue would mean less money would be available for financial aid and scholarships for students who may have no other means of paying for college in 2021 and beyond.
Students at more than 100 colleges reportedly filed lawsuits seeking tuition refunds after in-person classes were abruptly canceled in the spring as the coronavirus pandemic first began to spread around the country. The resolution of those cases could provide a model for similar suits that may be filed in the fall semester.
Students shouldn’t have to pay the same amount for a worse education. There is a long list of problems with teaching over Zoom. Internet problems, the condition of the student’s computer, easy access to cheating, lack of social interaction, and Zoom fatigue are all problems that make a high standard education a lot more difficult in a situation of solely teaching over Zoom.
Parents and students should be persistent with the college(s) when attempting to obtain a tuition discount. As time goes on, I predict colleges will be more flexible with families pertaining to college costs.
If you would like more information on college costs and other educational topics, please contact our staff.
