On average online universities charge $12,008 less than on campus undergraduate degrees according to affordablecollegesonline.org. In addition the average cost for an in-person Calculus 1 course in the U.S. is $2,500, compared to $400 for the online equivalent, according to Outlier. Due to the COVID-19 virus, students at The Fashion Institute of Technology are paying the full cost of tuition and receiving a lower quality of education due to the inability to conduct in-person classes. 

The Fashion Institute of Technology has also increased tuition which is unethical given the current circumstances. One of the major benefits of attending The Fashion Institute of Technology is the connections you build with professors and faculty which can lead to future career opportunities. Due to this online format we are missing out on the opportunity to build these connections within the industry. In addition many students have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 virus as we have not qualified for stimulus checks and we are outside of the age range for parents to claim the child credit. Many of us or our family members who assist us have been laid-off or furloughed and are already enduring additional financial struggles.  The Fashion institute of technology is also trying to increase tuition without informing the students. 

For many of us moving to New York and becoming involved in the fashion industry has been a dream since we were young; and not only is The Fashion Institute of Technology depriving us of these dreams but they charging us far more than necessary for them. Keeping in mind that the quality of our education is decreased we demand a discounted tuition. I urge you to sign this petition if these changes will affect you or add an additional financial burden on you and your family.