I am writing this message to provide you with information about why lowering tuition is beneficial for students. COVID-19 reached the United States of America at the beginning of 2020. By the end of March, cases had spread to all 50 states and therefore, the states implemented stay-at-home orders, and most non-essential businesses, including schools, were forced to close. However, students did not get any refunds, and moreover still had to pay full price for the Summer semester. Trump and many states believed that the virus would “going to sort of disappear,” yet we are currently encountering the second COVID-19 wave after businesses reopened – which seems to be worse than the first wave. Therefore, schools remain shut in the United States for Fall as well.

According to The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and Cappex, CSUN’s average tuition fees are anywhere from $5,703 to $6,893. For out-of-state students, it can go up to $18,773 on average. As an international student, I have personally paid $19,737 tuition for the year 2020, and this does not include books and supplies, transportation, or JCB insurance that I paid for. Classes are held via Zoom and not every professor is even having lectures on Zoom, but rather have students do homework and submit them on Canvas. Furthermore, most students have their camera off during the lectures and focus on other stuff. “Zoom University” is just not as interactive as in-class lectures. Most of the students have been complaining about the school’s tuition fee because school tuition does not match the education level. According to a recent College Fix poll of 1,000 students found that 79 percent of students say the quality of education is worse with online courses.

CSUN claims that tuition cannot be lowered since the school is still offering its services online. However, students don’t have access to Computer Labs, Student Recreation Center, Oasis Wellness Center, Library, Face-to-face Counseling Services, Clubs & Sports, Tutoring, Medical Centers, and other resources, therefore students are paying for services they are not able to use. Moreover, current students have been struggling to contact support services and faculty members. The school isn’t currently paying for food services, electricity for district buildings, maintenance costs, leased space, social activities, and other expenses. Not to mention, CSUN has furloughed and laid off hundreds of student workers at CSUN. This has saved the school tens of thousands of dollars if not hundreds of thousands. I’ll say it again; students are paying for services they are not able to use. 

As mentioned before, tuition does not match the education level, and that is why a lot of students have decided to skip a semester and return back to college in 2021 because the tuition is way too high. Many individuals decided to reapply or re-enroll in classes when things are back to “normal,” because they do not get the same experience that they wanted. The coronavirus has stripped students of their interactions with friends and faculties, and even living situation on campus, not to mention parties and extracurricular activities. Other reasons might have to do with students or students’ parents getting laid off work and won’t be able to pay for their fee. Over 60% of families are experiencing some sort of financial setback, which affect decisions related to all expenses and fees. According to the Association of American Colleges and Universities “There’s some certainty with respect to a decrease in the number of international students that’s already been in rapid decline with a 14% decrease over the past few years.” With the second wave of COVID-19, it is surely to decrease further with all students. According to Los Angeles Times, “More than 32,000 students withdrew from classes in spring 2020, compared with about 27,000 in spring 2019 – a 17% increase.” Approximately 70% said they have increased worry or anxiety about whether or not they are able to afford tuition during the pandemic. Students with disabilities haven’t been able to complete courses without assistance and support services. They have also complained that they don’t have a quiet study space since family members are moving back home; living and working under the same roof remotely. Additionally, students don’t have a regular computer or internet access, which has consequently hindered students’ learning.

Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed by students seeking college refunds and will continue to do so since coronavirus pandemic continues to worsen. Consequently, classes will remain online for the Fall semester and will likely continue to do so until Spring 2021 while students are required to pay the same amount. This has subsequently angered a lot of students and parents. We have already seen what kind of impact Millennials and generation Z has made when injustice and unfairness are in play; students united to fight the good fight after ICE announced about forcing out foreign students taking classes fully online, BLM movement resurfaced after George Floyd’s death, protests against ICE detention centers took action, and LGBTQ organizations sued Trump administration over the rule to erase health care protections. Students are currently organizing a series of protests because schools are failing to fulfill their contracts when moving to online classes while enriching themselves with tuition revenue paid fully by students. If tuition fees were to be lowered 5% – 10%, more people would have incentives to continue their studies without a gap year, complaints, criticism, or protests. Lowering tuition fees or refunding is a necessary act that the school must take.