Local universities respond to rising tuition costs

Local universities say they’re doing what they can to keep the sky-rocketing costs of tuition down.  Many students believe the high costs are making it tough for them to be able to afford to go to school.

Michael Long, a sophomore in college, says it gets harder to keep up with tuition costs.

“I’m paying thirty percent more than I paid when I got into college and I’ve seen probably about a forty percent reduction in Bright Futures and financial aid,” he said.

Long was part of the hundreds of students who rallied in Tallahassee this week urging lawmakers to lower college costs.

UCF spokesperson Chad Binette says it’s tough to keep costs down when the state keeps cutting back.

“We have seen a significant decrease in our state funding in the past several years, about a $100 million,” Binette said. “So part of the tuition increase has been to make up for the loss of state funding.”

He also reminds students that the state of Florida is one of the most affordable for college in the country.

President Obama has stepped in, threatening to pull federal aid to those schools that don’t lower tuition.

Students like Michael say it’s a step in the right direction in the fight for affordable education.