College tuition up, aid down in 2012-13

MIAMI (WOOD) - College tuition rose again in 2012-13 nationally, but unlike in 2008-09 and 2010-11, total grant aid for students did not increase, according to the College Board Advocacy & Policy Center.

A report released Wednesday from the College Board Advocacy & Policy Center shows in-state tuition and fees at public four-year colleges and universities rose by 4.8%, or $399, which was lower than that of recent
years.

However, the annual report also showed that while tuition and fees again increased, federal aid for students did not.

In 2012-13, full-time undergraduates at public four-year institutions received an estimated average of $5,750 in grant aid from all sources and federal tax benefits.

The assistance helps students pay the average $8,655 published tuition and fees at a four-year college, leaving the average student to pay a net tuition and fee price around $2,900.

The net price for tuition and fees for college students has risen each year since 2009-10.

“Colleges and universities, along with state and federal officials, share the concern of students and families grappling with the rising price of a college education,” said Sandy Baum, independent policy analyst for the College Board. “Continued efforts to rein in costs and to provide sufficient public subsidies -- both to public colleges and to students with financial need -- are vital to the future of our society and our economy.”

After nearly doubling between 2008 and 2010 from $26 billion to $52 billion, federal grant aid for undergraduates dropped to $49 billion in 2011-12.

Room and board charges for students living on campus also went up by an average of 3.7%.

Rates also increased for out-of-state tuition and private universities by 4.2%.

Public two-year colleges saw the largest increase in tuition and fees, which jumped by 5.8%.

While the cost of college rose,  the report says students borrowing declined for the first time in the past 20 years.

Total education borrowing, including federal student and parent loans, as well as nonfederal loans, declined by 4% in real terms between 2010-11 and 2011-12

However, the 2011-12 total of $113.4 billion was 24% higher than five years earlier.

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Some of Michigan's state universities tuition increases from 2012-13 year:

* Western Michigan University -- 3.9%

* Grand Valley State University -- 3.7%

* Michigan State University -- 3.5%

* Ferris State University-- 2.5%

* Central Michigan University -- 1.9%