Tuition struggle:

The current state of our economy has forced the entire country to cut back on expenses, and this is no exception at Fairfield. Affording a Fairfield education is becoming increasingly difficult for many undergraduates and their families.

It is difficult not to think of how this economic crisis is going to affect Fairfield students’ ability to stay enrolled at the University, as well as how it will influence high school seniors’ decisions to attend Fairfield in the fall.
There could already be evidence that the current college applicants are already impacted.
‘The number of first-year applicants to Fairfield is down slightly,’ said Director of Admissions Karen Pellegrino. ‘This is fairly consistent with most other private schools with which I am familiar.’

But it is uncertain if this decline is entirely because of the state of the economy. Last year, the number of high school graduates hit an all-time high in the United States, but the number of graduates this year was expected to decline in any case.

At the moment, the University is striving to enroll a freshmen class that is similar to the size of the class of 2012, which is around 900 students, according to Judith Dobai, associate vice president for enrollment management.’

However, this number may not be attainable. Dobai added that this target number ‘could change if we learn that currently enrolled Fairfield students are not able to return to the University.’

Some high school students have already been accepted to Fairfield through the Early Action Program. Usually, at this point in the year, the number of definite students is relatively low, and this year is no exception. This year’s number of confirmed students’ is not much different from past years at this time, but there is still much time remaining in the acceptance process.

Students who are currently enrolled are finding that their economic situations at home are changing this year, and many are in need of adjustments to their previous financial aid packages.’

‘We would much rather assist current students to stay at Fairfield,’ said Dobai, ‘We have already helped over 100 students this year with financial aid adjustments.’

The administration is continuing to work toward solutions to help students remain at the University, despite difficult economic situations at home.

When University President Fr. Jeffrey von Arx and other top members of his administration met with the FUSA Senate on Sunday, they once again stressed the importance of helping students in need, especially through financial aid opportunities.

For more on the economy, check this week’s editorial.