Fairfield’s summer courses are a great way to knock out some credits and get a Magis Core class out of the way. Online summer courses are offered to both undergraduate and graduate students with classes that come from all different disciplines. However, these classes come at a high cost. Tuition for Fairfield University’s summer courses is $885 per credit. A majority of courses are three credits sums up to a total of $2,655. They also slap on a $50 registration fee. This price tag is something that turns many away from taking summer courses, including myself.
What I find most frustrating is that scholarships and financial aid are not considered by the bursar’s office when registering for summer courses. Sometimes taking an extra class can help substantially in completing your degree, and Fairfield should do a better job of offering financial aid to those who want and or need to take a summer course.
Many of the courses in the summer are online but there is also the option to be housed on campus which comes at a cost. For a shared room, students must pay $240 per week but if a student prefers a private room, it is $340 per week. Residential Life also tacks on a $100 application fee. These numbers add up to a hefty bill during the summer.
To me, these prices seem steep. I also understand that there are many private colleges in the surrounding area. Summer courses at Connecticut College also have a pricey bill. For a four-credit course, the cost is $4,025 whereas a two-credit course is $2,415. However, Connecticut College does offer financial aid for all their summer classes.
Although a summer course at Fairfield could help immensely in gaining credits, there is a money-saving solution that is also beneficial. Many state and community colleges offer courses at a cheaper cost. At a Connecticut State Community College, a three-credit course costs $659, considerably less than a summer course at Fairfield. However, it may be tricky to get the credits from a different college or university transferred back to Fairfield.
Looking at all these prices, I feel turned off by taking a summer course. The extra cost seems somewhat daunting like stepping back and looking at the bigger picture. It is possible to finish all your credits in the fall and spring semesters, and the extra cost of a summer course may not even be worth it in the long run. Other budget-friendly options can help knock out some credits. I understand private colleges and universities are overall pricey, but summer courses can draw people from all over the country with different socioeconomic backgrounds. Fairfield University can do a better job of making summer courses affordable and accessible for all.
Disregarding the prices for a moment, I like having summer as a time to make money and be with loved ones. A summer course can cut into that precious time that should be spent saving pennies for our upcoming semester at Fairfield University. Take the time in the summer to recharge for the busy semesters ahead!
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