Tuition Freeze in Universities and Colleges – How Does it Affect Students

Tuition Freeze in Universities and Colleges – How Does it Affect Students

It is nearly impossible to talk about university or college education today without mentioning the increasing tuition costs. In response to this, several countries have implemented tuition caps in higher education. The control on tuition fees acknowledges the continuing financial hardships many students and their families face due to the recent pandemic.

While some may argue that tuition freezes are necessary to make higher education more affordable and accessible, others say that it will lead to a decline in the quality of education.

In this article, we will explore the tuition freeze in totality. Let us look at how it works, its effects on students, and some countries and universities that have implemented it.

What does Tuition Freeze mean?

A tuition freeze is a policy implemented by some countries to keep the cost of tuition at their public colleges and universities fixed for a set period. The length of the enforcement may vary, with some lasting for one or two academic years and while others for several more years. During the freeze, students will not have to pay increased tuition costs.

The tuition freeze is generally designed to make higher education more accessible for students. In some cases, universities may even reduce tuition fees from the applied tuition-freeze rate. The tuition freeze is sometimes carried out alongside other policies, such as increased government funding for public universities and student loan reforms.

Countries implementing Tuition-Freeze for the current academic year

In some countries, public and private universities have begun offering tuition-freeze in various forms, while others have not. Well, let us look at some countries that have enforced a tuition ceiling for the academic year 2023-2024 and the upcoming academic years.

United Kingdom

The UK government announced the fixation of tuition fees at all public universities at a maximum of £9,250. This measure, however, applies only to undergraduate degrees and will take effect for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years in England.

Previously, the University of London was one of the few universities in the United Kingdom that had frozen their undergraduate tuition fees until 2023. Other universities to implement this policy include New England College, which has frozen tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Canada

In Canada, some universities have had tuition freezes in place, while others have announced that they will freeze tuition fees for the current academic year. For example, the University of Toronto stated it will enforce a tuition cap for domestic and international students until at least 2023. Additionally, Crandall University announced its third consecutive year of halting increased tuition.

The government of Ontario also announced that it would extend its tuition freeze for post-secondary students through the 2022-2023 academic year.

United States of America

The United States of America is one of the countries that have carried out holding off increased tuition for various universities and colleges across the country. Many universities implemented a stoppage of tuition increase for the current and upcoming academic years. This measure applies to all undergraduate degree programs.

For example, Calvin University issued a tuition freeze for the 2023-2024 academic year. Current and incoming degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students will not have to worry about the increase in tuition costs. For undergraduate students, the tuition is set at $38,370.

Other institutions declaring a price control of tuition for the 2023-2024 academic year include Liberty University and Union College. Also, Purdue University, a public research institution in America, announced a tuition freeze is extended for the coming academic year.

How Does it Affect the Students?

The tuition freeze can have both positive and negative impacts on students. Let us explore some of the ways a tuition freeze can affect students.

Education is More Affordable and Accessible

Low-income families may not have the resources to pay tuition that increases year after year, but a freeze can eliminate this problem. For example, a tuition freeze can provide much-needed relief for students who have applied for large loans to pay for college. With no increase in tuition, students and families can plan their finances more accurately and not worry about increases in tuition costs later on.

In addition, a tuition freeze can make college more accessible to those who may not otherwise be able to afford it.

Since a tuition freeze often applies to all public colleges within a state or county, students don’t have to worry about one option drastically increasing in price.

Reduced Quality of Education

Although a tuition freeze can benefit students, it can also have some drawbacks. Without a tuition increase, universities may struggle to pay for increased expenses such as faculty salaries and building maintenance. This could also lead to budget cuts in other areas, such as student services or academic programs.

Due to this, some students may find that the quality of their education is not as good as it could be with a tuition increase. Some universities may eliminate courses or services due to financial constraints, leading to a reduced educational experience.

Unable to Transfer Between Institutions

Furthermore, a tuition freeze can limit students’ ability to transfer between institutions since all public colleges within the state are subject to the same rate. This can lead to students feeling “locked in” to one college, which can lead to an unsatisfactory experience.

Tuition freeze. Yay or Nay?

The tuition freeze is a controversial policy designed to make higher education more accessible and affordable. It is an excellent way for universities to attract a more diverse pool of students and for governments to make higher education accessible for those who cannot afford it.

On the other hand, it can result in budget cuts for universities, leading to a decrease in the quality of education. Students who encounter a tuition freeze may find that their educational experience is not as satisfying as it could be, as they are limited in their ability to transfer between institutions.

Ultimately, whether the tuition freeze is good or bad for students will depend on individual circumstances. For those students taking advantage of the freeze, it is essential to confirm with the university if they can provide quality education despite its implemented tuition-freeze policy.