My mom called me last night. She sounded tired — more tired than usual. She said: "Mijo, I saw on the news that tuition is going up again. How much more is this going to cost?" I didn't know what to tell her. So I looked it up. And now I'm furious. 
The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board just approved tuition increases at six of our public universities. Average increase: 3.8 percent. For what? They say: salaries, inflation, new technology, and campus safety .
Let me break down what this actually means for students like me:
At Jackson State University, tuition is jumping 6 percent — from $8,690 to $9,210 . Why? One of the reasons they gave was "campus safety." They're also adding a $150 health and student wellness fee that'll generate almost a million dollars for mental health services and the student health center . That sounds good, but... that's money coming out of OUR pockets.
At Mississippi State, it's up 4 percent to $10,454 . University of Mississippi? Up 3.9 percent to $9,990 . Southern Miss? Up 4 percent to $10,284 . Mississippi University for Women? Up 3 percent . UMMC? Up 3 percent .
The Board's Senior Associate Commissioner said these increases were "the minimum increases required for our universities to cover mandated salary increases, inflationary increases on goods and services, campus safety enhancements, and new technology needs" .
But here's what they DON'T say: student wages aren't going up 4 percent. My job at the processing plant pays the same as last year. My mom's hours just got cut. My dad's truck needs repairs he can't afford. We're supposed to just... find this money?
What the Board DIDN'T mention:
I talked to a friend at Jackson State. He said: "Man, I'm already working 30 hours a week. Now I gotta work more? When am I supposed to study?"
Another friend at Ole Miss: "My scholarship covers tuition but not fees. That $150 wellness fee? That's coming out of my food budget."
What I'm going to do:
I don't have a choice. I'll work more hours. Take fewer classes if I have to. Graduate later. I refuse to let this stop me. But I'm angry. So angry.
Because it shouldn't be this hard. College should be a ladder, not a wall. And every time they raise tuition, they're making the wall higher.
The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board just approved tuition increases at six of our public universities. Average increase: 3.8 percent. For what? They say: salaries, inflation, new technology, and campus safety .
Let me break down what this actually means for students like me:
At Jackson State University, tuition is jumping 6 percent — from $8,690 to $9,210 . Why? One of the reasons they gave was "campus safety." They're also adding a $150 health and student wellness fee that'll generate almost a million dollars for mental health services and the student health center . That sounds good, but... that's money coming out of OUR pockets.
At Mississippi State, it's up 4 percent to $10,454 . University of Mississippi? Up 3.9 percent to $9,990 . Southern Miss? Up 4 percent to $10,284 . Mississippi University for Women? Up 3 percent . UMMC? Up 3 percent .
The Board's Senior Associate Commissioner said these increases were "the minimum increases required for our universities to cover mandated salary increases, inflationary increases on goods and services, campus safety enhancements, and new technology needs" .
But here's what they DON'T say: student wages aren't going up 4 percent. My job at the processing plant pays the same as last year. My mom's hours just got cut. My dad's truck needs repairs he can't afford. We're supposed to just... find this money?
What the Board DIDN'T mention:
- Student debt in Mississippi is already crushing. The average graduate leaves with over $30,000 in loans . Add another 4 percent? That's thousands more over a lifetime.
- Enrollment is dropping at some schools. You'd think they'd want to make college MORE affordable, not less. But instead, they raise prices on the students who are left.
- First-gen students like me are hit hardest. We don't have family savings. We don't have generational wealth. Every dollar increase is a dollar we have to borrow.
I talked to a friend at Jackson State. He said: "Man, I'm already working 30 hours a week. Now I gotta work more? When am I supposed to study?"
Another friend at Ole Miss: "My scholarship covers tuition but not fees. That $150 wellness fee? That's coming out of my food budget."
What I'm going to do:
I don't have a choice. I'll work more hours. Take fewer classes if I have to. Graduate later. I refuse to let this stop me. But I'm angry. So angry.
Because it shouldn't be this hard. College should be a ladder, not a wall. And every time they raise tuition, they're making the wall higher.
