U of M students protest costs to attend college

Tuition, loan rate hikes cited

Jimmie Williams Jr. planned to have $35,000 in debt after graduating from the University of Memphis in 2016, but now he thinks that debt will grow to nearly $50,000 because of tuition and loan rate increases at Tennessee schools.

“By the time I pay this off, I’ll be married and have children in college,” said Williams, a 20-yearold sophomore.

On June 21, the Tennessee Board of Regents approved tuition increases ranging from 1.4 percent to 6 percent for all state schools.

On Wednesday, the College Democrats of the University of Memphis gathered in front of the University Center on campus to speak out against the tuition increase and Congress’ inaction on extending the current 3.4 percent interest rate on student loans. If the interest rate isn’t extended like it was last year, it will double to 6.8 percent on July 1.

“Congress is playing chicken with our future for the second year in a row,” said Charles Uffelman, 19, a U of M sophomore.

Uffelman owes nothing now because of grants and scholarships, but said he plans to go to law school.

“I want to go back home and practice law, but with my student loan debt, I won’t be able to do that,” said Uffelman of Erin, a small city in Middle Tennessee.

Joanna Darden, assistant director of U of M’s financial aid office, said a 2013 survey showed 57 percent of U of M students borrow $20,966, on average, by graduation.

Next year, tuition will increase 6 percent to $8,666 a year for full-time students.

Michelle Bliss, University of Memphis political science instructor and college Democrats adviser, said she took out at least $20,000 a year in student loans to attend the university’s law school before graduating in 2009.

“If you combine undergraduate and law school, your average loan amount is $100,000,” Bliss said.

“That’s not including books, food and lodging,” she added.

“Are you all feeling sick to your stomachs now?” she asked the students gathered on campus.

“Yep,” said senior communications major Tevin McInnis, 20.

“Why would you increase a workload on somebody who is already having trouble making ends meet for their families?” said McInnis, who lives at home to cut costs.

Student loan debt reached $1.1 trillion earlier this year, according to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and New York Federal Reserve data analyzed by Bloomberg News.

“I’m really pissed off, but that’s life and you have to live with the changes and keep going,” Williams said.