Larisa's Voice
How have increased tuition fees impacted you and your family?:
I was the first person in my family to ever graduate from college, while hopefully not the last. Last year I finished my program in Early Childhood Studies at CSU Channel Islands. As I watched fees increase, I watched my loans increase in size as well. My family took care of me from afar by providing me with grocery and gas gift cards so that I could eat and get myself to and from student teaching sites and home to see them. This year when I began my graduate studies, I took out new loans and recognized a need to accelerate my studies to keep from furthering my debt.
I, alongside my family, worry about what will happen when it is my sister's turn to begin college in four years. I wonder if attending the CSU system will even be an affordable venture if the tuition fees continue to increase at the rate they are now.
I can only hope that higher education will be recognized by our legislature to be an investment in California and our future. I am made in the CSU.
What are you studying at SF State and what do you hope to do once you graduate?:
I'm currently studying Equity and Social Justice education. I hope to teach Early Childhood Education at a California Community College and teach in a preschool setting.
Larisa M., 22 Yuba City, CA
Share this story:
