CSU system considering tuition hike, increase in financial aid next year

LOS ANGELES -- California State University may be getting a bit more expensive for everyone.

The CSU board of trustees will meet Wednesday to discuss a multiyear 6% tuition hike across all Cal State schools.

If approved, tuition will go up $342 per semester for undergrads, and $432 for graduate students starting in fall 2024. By 2027, students would be paying nearly $2,000 more than they are now.

The proposal is projected to generate $148 million in new revenue, but the system would also increase student financial aid by $49 million.

On Monday, Cal State student assistants, who are fighting to form a union and have already gathered thousands of worker signatures, held a virtual news conference about the proposal, saying they already have low salaries and higher tuition will only make things more difficult.

"We are risking our health and pushing back our graduation dates to work here on campus so that we can survive," said one student. "My question for the CSU is what is the tuition hikes supplementing? How is it benefiting our education?"

Thomas Galvan said just the cost of gas is already putting a big dent in his budget.

"I don't think they're taking into account how much we already have to pay and much we have to do to get here and be present," he said.