Kylie's Voice
How have increased tuition fees impacted you and your family?:
Since the summer before freshman year (2008-2009), I have worked part time during the school year and full time during summer and winter break in order to fund my education. My family has been able to supplement and support my educational funding, which I have grateful for, but they are understandably unable to completely finance my college education because I have two younger brothers and my parents need to make sure that they have enough to retire with in the next five years.
I have had to increase my work hours as the tuition rates have increased. When I started going to school at SFSU as a freshman, tuition was less than $1900 per semester. Now, as a senior, I am facing per-semester tuition that will surely climb to close to $4000. It is not possible for me to work a better-paying full time job during the 8-9 months of the regular school year because it would interfere with when my classes are offered, on the normal 8am-5pm schedule.
My course offerings have dwindled. There have been entire semesters when I have been unable to register for a single major related course because my department did not have enough money to offer sections with available seats. This has set my graduation back by at least one year.
What are you studying at SF State and what do you hope to do once you graduate?:
I am a Biology major with an emphasis in Physiology. I plan to continue my education and pursue a Masters Degree in Physicians Assisting in the Bay Area.
Kylie M., 22 South San Francisco, CA
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