Higher Education in Georgia is Accessible, Affordable
Martha Nesbitt
President, Gainesville State College
March, 2007

For the United States to remain competitive in today’s global economy, education, including higher education, is the key. Last week’s article focused on the accessibility of higher education. This one will follow up by addressing the affordability of attending college. If education is to be truly accessible, it must be affordable as well as being geographically accessible.

Research, including a recent survey conducted by the American Council on Education, has demonstrated that many parents and students significantly overestimate the cost of college and underestimate the amount of financial aid available. Sensational headlines about the high cost of college tend to focus on the most prestigious private colleges, such as Harvard and Yale, that indeed, do have high tuition rates. What is often not pointed out, is how many of the students at such colleges, receive tuition discounts and financial aid. Public and private colleges in Georgia do not post such high tuitions. In fact, the costs for public higher education in Georgia are well below the national average.

We in Georgia are fortunate to have the HOPE Scholarship program that provides all academically strong students (graduating from Georgia high schools and having legal residence) full tuition and most fees at a public college like Gainesville State College and assists with tuition at Brenau and other private colleges and universities. The HOPE Grant offers free tuition to all Georgia students (graduating from Georgia high schools and having legal residence), regardless of grades, who are seeking a certificate or diploma at Lanier Technical College and other DTAE technical colleges.

At Gainesville State College, we do not want to deny access to any student for financial reasons. Our reasonable tuition, approximately $1800 a year for tuition and fees, istwo-thirds less than most people estimate the cost of attending a two year public college. Even with this affordable tuition, we make every attempt to accommodate financially needy students. Our Foundation, through the generous support of this community, provides financial aid when the need is demonstrated. There are also federal and state programs that provide aid to financially needy students. Last year alone, the Financial Aid Office at GSC distributed over $9,000,000 in scholarships. This figure also includes HOPE scholarships for about 33% of our students.

Because of our accessibility, affordability and financial assistance, many students are pursuing higher education who otherwise would not have. On a survey taken in spring, 2005, we discovered that about 40% of our students are the first in their families to attend college. What a difference that makes in the educational level of our county and Northeast Georgia!

Higher education is accessible and affordable for our students in Hall County and Northeast Georgia. There is NO reason for students not to pursue a college education.