Every year the cost of higher education increases. Parents have been eloquent concerns as to whether they will be able to hand over the head blowing costs that are projected. Some families have been turning to state colleges in greater numbers. Let me state here that I understand that parents should designate to their children the engagement of formulating a plan to boost in their college education. I find that most kids are not aware or don ' t pay particular attention to the costs involved in sending them to college. If children are educated about the financial sacrifices that most parents need to make, in consequence maybe they will accept the detail that response to college should be a parent / child project.
The average cost of a year ' s tuition, board and room, and fees at a private college last year was $22, 541 ( source: the College Board ). Many experts predict that the cost of private college will increase at a rate of about 5 % per year. This figure is set to reach $33, 000 in 2008, $34, 968 in 2009, $36, 000 in 2010 and $38, 553 in 2011. It is projected that in the year 2015, the cost will be $46, 861,
In my opinion, I will never support the cost of a child going to one of those prestigious schools where the cost will be even higher if it is not within the financial reach of the family. So far some of these schools have crossed the $33, 000 - a - year - barrier. Using the 5 % calculation, this goes to over $42, 000 per year.
One workable option is the public university, where the savings are phenomenal. I also suggest that a dedicated, hardworking, conscientious student would gain as much here as he / she would in the prestige school. The average cost of a year ' s tuition, room and board, and fees at a public school last year was $8, 470 ( source: the College Board ). This figure goes to $13, 140 in 2009, $13, 797 in 2010, and $17, 609 in 2015..
It is in our interest to make our children accountable for their performance. If they are aware of these numbers and the added responsibilities of the parent, I know that most children would work harder. Too often, children are neive to the cost of education. As an ex - teacher, I advise parents to invest in a PC and internet connectivity to compliment your child ' s education. Children should be proficient on the computer before college attendance. The race to Web 2. 0 with social networks, involving blogs, wikis, podcasts and webinars are already impacting education. Today we see education as not being the stagnant process of the past. The skills that are needed for employment today all almost totally computer related. The acceptance of online colleges has made it another option for the learner.
