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They take cash ?!?!?!
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University of Wisconsin students have been checking mailboxes over the past week to find one similar looking piece of campus-stamped mail — it’s that time of semester again for writing large checks and overdrawing bank accounts.
Tuition bills were sent out en masse and the typical shocked looks and comments ensued. When faced with the enormity of the bill, more than one student received an angry call from a parent and more than one student took a gasping peek at his or her bank account.
Out-of-state tuition this semester amounts to $9,933.08 and in-state tuition stands at $2,933.12. But don’t fret students: you have a whopping two weeks to foot the bill. Tuition must be paid in one lump sum by February 4. As always, monthly payments are not an option.
Several peer institutions such as Illinois and Iowa cut students a bit of slack, allowing monthly payments and flexibility in payment methods, but not UW. UW accepts cash or check. Students cannot charge tuition allowing a partial payback at the end of the year and students cannot work year round on a partial payment plan. Apart from loans, there is no way around the process of directly dolling out thousands at the beginning of each semester.
A change in the method is in order. Students and parents alike deserve options. Tuition is consistently rising and UW is becoming increasingly more difficult to afford. UW sticks to the four to one tuition ratio — the only public school in the Big Ten to do so. It is only fair that UW extend payment options to allow monthly payments and credit card options. Why must UW students not only be stuck with an exorbitant bill but also a practically impossible way of paying?
Yes, this is nothing new. It has been going on for years. But it doesn’t mean as students we must sit back and let the process continue unchallenged. It’s only right that students demand UW fix it for future generations; for tuition is surely still on the rise.
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Good points...
What would you recommend in the way of course drop and tuition forfeiture policies? I'm sure one of the issues with payment plans is that when a student drops their course load (in whole or in part) to a point where they would have paid less tuition if they had started out that way, the question of whether they owe that next payment(s) (in full or pro-rated) comes up. And I bet students would like to pay pro-rated/adjusted tuition and the university sees that as untenable.
Would be curious to see another editorial where you lay out not only the big policy change but also a plan for how related policies should (or should not) be changed. (Hint: Then y'all might get somewhere! :)
Most of the other UW campuses offer payment plans. I'm sure they can provide a lot of helpful information.
Hey, if you want a bargain....go to Parkside. If you want an education at a world class institution, go to UW-Madison.
You want to pay more than UW? Well, then you have your choice of dozens of fine universities. Even with the rises, Madison is still a great deal for the quality of the university. And if you a Wisconsin resident...well, I don't know what you are complaining about. After all, you could live in a state with a university system no were near as good, so consider yourselves very, very lucky.
2004-2005 Tuitions (yearly)
George Washington U.