AUBG students concerns over tuition increase

Students at the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) are raising concern due to the recent rise in tuition and student fees, a development that many are indicating as an increase in the financial burden on an already expensive private university education. According to AUBG administration the tuition increment is needed to sustain academic standards and campus services. The tuition changes every year, which impacts both existing and new students.

The tuition raise has implications for both the current and the new students and is timed at a time when the price of higher education is ever-growing across the world. With a big percentage of students at AUBG relying on scholarship or financial aid packages, any moderate rise can be tremendously impactful on individual and family budgets.

Presiana Monova, a second year majoring in Business Administration, said that while universities require funds to run and advance their programs, every increase is felt. Many of the students here are dependent on financial assistance or their families. She also claimed: “An increase in tuition leaves us with a feeling of not knowing how deep we will stay in this place of learning in the coming few years.”

Some students who were interviewed indicated that the increase in tuition and fees has compelled them to reassess their financial budget for the rest of their courses. Others are already looking at the option of applying to more scholarships, part-time employment or finding external financing options to meet the higher costs.

Bozhidar Todorov, a student of political science, said that some students have part-time jobs in order to provide for themselves. “In case of further cost increases, even more citizens will be forced to take a second job, or will have to reevaluate the idea of studying in Bulgaria.”

Information published by the university administration in the contract when enrolling indicates that changes in tuition are periodically revised and depend on the cost of operation. Those include teacher salaries, campus facilities, technology update, and academic program investment. The official site of this university states that they want to maintain the high quality of academic programs and facilities on the campus that are attractive to students worldwide.

“I justify the tuition increase with the fact that it is a response to the increased costs of running the university, and the university still aims to offer a high quality education, keep up its campus facilities and serve its students.” said professor Vucheva.

Some students believe that the tuition rise could have been expressed better. They would appreciate more transparency in the use of funds.

“Me and my husband have also been concerned in particular those whose children are studying at a distance. When it comes to international students, the overall price of studying at AUBG may be not only tuition but housing, travel, and living costs in Blagoevgrad, the city where this university is situated. The combined costs may constitute a big financial undertaking by families.” claimed Maria Vitanova, an AUBG student’s parent.

Karina Vladova, a student currently in Milan, was accepted into AUBG but refused due to the pricing said that to some potential students, an increase in tuition would perhaps affect their choice of place to apply or enlist. Although AUBG is positioned as the institution that provides scholarships and financial aid packages to a significant proportion of the enrolled students, the minimum cost of attending college is also an attractive consideration to a great number of families that consider their possibilities.

Professor Vucheva explains that the rise in tuition is one of the wider trends in higher learning institutions all over the world.The contemporary universities are experiencing rising expenses on infrastructure, research, technology, and recruitment of faculty. Nevertheless, institutions also have to make education affordable. Balancing between affordability and financial sustainability is considered one of the biggest challenges that universities currently face.

Andrea Yordanova is a second year student in AUBG, majoring in Business Administration. She wrote this article because she is someone affected by the tuition rise.