Loyola University Chicago prides itself on being a Jesuit institution that works to emphasize “cura personalis (educating the whole person), academic excellence, and commitment to social justice”. Yet we are seeing a 4% tuition increase yearly, which may seem small, but 4% of $50,000+ can completely change a student's ability to attend. 

 Loyola states that the price rise is due to an “increase in operating costs”. When a student arrives at Loyola, a burden of financial unpredictability can occur as families can’t plan for the time in college. This lack of transparency could be resolved by ensuring incoming freshmen understand the amount needed to pay, rather than dumping the increase onto already attending students who have little to no other option but to pay and possibly go deeper into debt, transfer, or drop out.

Allowing for a tuition lock would increase benefits such as On-Time graduations as an incentive to avoid paying a hiked-up price and maintain the price when they are accepted into the university, which adds a competitive edge to the university when attracting students. 

To the Loyola University Chicago Board of Trustees and all involved with operating tuition, something must be done to ensure the well-being of your students. Tuition in the United States is already a major driver of emotional distress for students as the National Library of Medicine states, "75% of US students experienced moderate to high financial distress in the past 12 months". 

Personally, as a Loyola undergrad, the stress of not knowing if the institution will suddenly flip a switch and decide to increase tuition or fees more for my years at Loyola has become an overbearing weight. Especially when I can look around and see the hundreds of institutions that do provide this aid to their students. 

Please sign this petition and have Loyola University of Chicago take notice and encourage them to finally create a tuition freeze system to relieve students of financial unpredictability and uncertainty during their years at the institution.