The massive economic shock we have begun to experience will generate enormous pressures on public institutions to increase tuition, the same way it did during the Great Recession a decade ago.
Our recent study shows that those tuition increases drove away students, especially those from lower- and middle-income families. Confusion about how much college really costs after factoring in financial aid contributed to the problem. Although increasing tuition may be necessary for colleges and universities to weather the current crisis, it should be accompanied by expanded financial aid for the neediest students that is communicated in a way students, parents and counselors can understand.
