Who is merit aid helping?

While I sympathize with their demand to reduce tuition, I’m just going to sneak out quietly to avoid the wrath of any nearby strikers.

Since I moved off campus, IU pays me to attend.

I live off my refund check, which I guess means that I live off the state of Indiana, donations and probably a little bit of other students’ tuition.

Initially, I didn’t understand the stirrings of discontent surrounding tuition and fees which, according to a strikers’ leaflet, have increased more than 45 percent during the past six years.

IU was always the cheap option — a public, in-state school that is willing to give merit-based aid.

In a sea of United States schools charging upward of $50,000 per year to attend, IU’s in-state $10,034 seems like chump change. Even adding the cost of room and board, $18,888 compares favorably.

This is a problem.

If you are using a $200,000 education as a benchmark, one for south of $50,000 looks like a bargain. Really, both prices are a bit much to expect 18-to-22-year-olds to accept responsibility to pay. As a public institution, IU should not have its hand permanently in the pockets of its students.

Our school does try to help. According to the College Board, IU meets 89 percent of financial need, and the average financial aid package is $11,388. These numbers could definitely be improved, but they are not insignificant.

I do worry about the 11 percent of need that is not met.  

The College Board also indicates that students from wealthy families annually pay almost full tuition and fees. Perhaps most do, but I doubt that the true average net price for families making more than $75,000 is between $18,000 and $19,000.  

I take issue with this stat because of how merit-based aid is doled out. Yes, I am criticizing my own livelihood. No, I do not want it taken away.

Students from wealthier backgrounds are more likely to do better in school. Rich families can move to better school districts.

Upper-class first graders have vocabularies twice as big as their lower-income peers. Children who simply have more books at home complete more years of school.

While 28 percent of merit aid goes to high-income students, only 20 percent goes to low-income students.  

Though the cost of college can be a burden for most families, there is a difference between one family having to cut back on a few things and another having to skip the expense altogether. If you are able to gain admission, cost should not prohibit you from attending.

I have yet to decide whether to strike on April 11 and 12. I do worry about missing class, but the strikers’ demands deserve our attention.

­— casefarr@indiana.edu