SEASIDE, Calif. -- Ballot Proposition Could Keep College Tuition from Going Up. Tuition rates are up again but a new proposition on the ballot could keep those numbers from skyrocketing.
On Friday several students were un-packing their bags and heading to the dorms at California State University of Monterey Bay, geared up for a new year. "I am super excited to be joining the Monterey family! The otter and becoming an Otter and making new friends," said Van Der Woodsen.
Samuel Van Der Woodsen came down from Sacramento to Cal State Monterey Bay with a packed car, but his excitement started to fade when we brought up this year's tuition increases, more than $6,400 this fall semester. That's up almost $500 from last fall.
Samuel said in order to save on school spending he took two jobs before coming here and decided to take his general education classes at a community college before transferring to a four year and he still needs help from his parents. "I probably had to save up a couple thousand and that's just for tuition alone and it's rising," said Van Der Woodsen.
Aside from tuition rates going up, another burden students have to deal with is the rising cost of books. Some having to pay close to $1,000 this year. "Books range from like $200 to $300 per class depending on how many books you need. I know a lot of people who had to pick up extra jobs and things like that just to pay for school this semester," Jameel Smith.
Now students are getting one clear message from CSUMB staff, hope that Governor Brown's Proposition 30 passes. It would raise the sales tax and raise taxes for higher income earners. Part of that money would go to higher education. "If that proposition doesn't pass the CSU system faces what they call a trigger cut, which is an additional $250 million out in overall state CSU budget," said James Tinney.
CSUMB leaders say there's a greater demand for students wanting to attend school this year. The current enrollment is 5,400 students, 855 are new freshmen and 600 of those are transfer students. Local and in-state students will be shut out next spring at Cal State schools. The system will accept out of state students due budget limitations.
