The high cost of a state university

Getting an education shouldn't have to cost so much.

Already saddled with a 6 percent cost increase this year, students at the University of Connecticut learned Monday that UConn is seeking another 6.3 percent tuition hike for next year.

"Ouch!"

That was the collective response of students and parents across the state wincing at the thought of paying more than $21,000 for tuition, room and board at UConn in 2010-11.

"UConn has very limited sources of revenue," said Richard Gray, the university's chief financial officer, noting that reserves, interest income and revenues have all taken a nosedive.

But so have college savings accounts and earning opportunities. Students and their families share many of the same fiscal problems as higher-learning institutions. At the same time, there is greater competition for scholarship and grant funds, meaning everyone who is deserving will not get them.

There was a time when students who got good grades earned the opportunity to attend the state university. But that's not necessarily the case anymore.

We understand that UConn would rather not raise fees. And we realize that the requested increase is less than what other public universities are asking.

Still, we urge UConn to take another look at trimming expenses, increasing fundraising and all other options before placing this burden on students and parents.

Classes should be the hard part of college, not paying for it.