Shaw University was freshman Jacquail Green’s school of choice, until she reached the financial aid clearance line and found that the tuition had increased by nearly $1500. According to the Shaw University Expense sheet, tuition increased from $17,640, which was last year’s figure, to $18,896.
“It’s a difficult process for me because my parents aren’t helping me with my tuition; they told me I will have to handle it on my own,” Green said. She said if additional resources do not become available she will be forced to find another university to attend.
Shaw financial aid counselor and scholarship coordinator Zakiyah Middleton is employed for that very reason. “I work overtime encouraging students to speak with financial aid counselors ahead of time. This way we can retain students by informing them of all available options for financial assistance including outside scholarships,” said Middleton.
Regina Chukwu, working supervisor of the Office of the Registrar, reported 2,794 students enrolled in the fall of 2007 and 2,768 students in the spring semester of 2008. University’s enrollment has decreased to 2,744 students according to a fall 2008 report.
Shaw University Director of Fiscal Affairs Thomas Poitier says the university has also felt the impact. “Yes, we are losing students because of tuition increase; however, Shaw University has only increased tuition due to the cost of living and other economic challenges.
First year C.A.P.E. (College of Adult Professional Education Program) student Rona Gilmore testified to the economic crunch. “The increase of tuition has made my budget tighter. I have other financial obligations such as providing for my family as well as a daughter who will be going to college soon,” said Gilmore.
Financial aid officials said they are uncertain of the exact number of students who receive scholarships, however, Shaw Director of Financial Aid Rochelle King said there is little question that most Shaw students need help to pay for college.
King said, “92.5% of our students receive some type of financial aid. In my opinion, if it were not for financial aid none of our students would be here.” Though there are many students who say they experience hardships with the tuition increase there are other students such as graduating senior Emily Clarke, who said they are not feeling the money crunch.
“The clearance process does not affect me, being as I am a student athlete but hearing from other students the increase in tuition has made a big difference.”
Gilmore suggested Shaw should become a public institution to lower the cost of tuition.
However, Poitier has proposed a different solution. “We realized that in order to maintain students we can no longer keep adding on to the price — we project that there may not be another increase — if we must increase — it will be for the cost of living.