(06-09-2015 03:44 PM)shere khan Wrote:  

(06-09-2015 01:12 PM)Willie Becton Wrote:  

(06-09-2015 12:39 PM)mairving Wrote:  Hasn't seemed to affect the other state university.

University of TN Knoxville To Undergo $1 Billion Dollar Makeover

It's actually the impending, snowballing problem of increased tuition costs and the turnaround inability to repay student loans.

I've counseled a bunch of new graduates who are having this problem. It appears that it will get worse before it gets better. I believe that as a community we can prepare our universities accordingly and make sure that they continue to be viable resources into the future.

Kids get so much money for college and take out too much money in loans. They live like they make they make a couple hundred grand a year. After graduation many take a pay cut. I bet they need counseling

I graduated from a private, Jesuit law school 37 yrs. ago and tuition was c. $900/semester. I paid my 1st semester's tuition by driving an ice cream truck the summer before. I worked at a convenience store during school and was able to pay much of my tuition as well as the $75/month rent for a 1 bedroom.

Try that nowadays. Back then minimum wage/low wage jobs could pay the rent easily. I don't know how kids make it today.

My old school is now $43,000 a year in tuition--I paid maybe $2200 my last year. So, no, I don't think students are the problem.

(06-09-2015 08:16 PM)cotton1991 Wrote:  

(06-09-2015 03:44 PM)shere khan Wrote:  

(06-09-2015 01:12 PM)Willie Becton Wrote:  

(06-09-2015 12:39 PM)mairving Wrote:  Hasn't seemed to affect the other state university.

University of TN Knoxville To Undergo $1 Billion Dollar Makeover

It's actually the impending, snowballing problem of increased tuition costs and the turnaround inability to repay student loans.

I've counseled a bunch of new graduates who are having this problem. It appears that it will get worse before it gets better. I believe that as a community we can prepare our universities accordingly and make sure that they continue to be viable resources into the future.

Kids get so much money for college and take out too much money in loans. They live like they make they make a couple hundred grand a year. After graduation many take a pay cut. I bet they need counseling

I graduated from a private, Jesuit law school 37 yrs. ago and tuition was c. $900/semester. I paid my 1st semester's tuition by driving an ice cream truck the summer before. I worked at a convenience store during school and was able to pay much of my tuition as well as the $75/month rent for a 1 bedroom.

Try that nowadays. Back then minimum wage/low wage jobs could pay the rent easily. I don't know how kids make it today.

My old school is now $43,000 a year in tuition--I paid maybe $2200 my last year. So, no, I don't think students are the problem.

Ummm...no, students are not the problem. This is nothing different than every industry that grew to cater to baby boomers has gone through. Too many universities, too many choices, and the costs have been driven through the roof. Something's got to give.

Here is the idiotic part of student loans. Rather than try to get through college in four years and end up with a ton of debt that you have to struggle to pay off, here ia a plan that works much better.
1. Take your first two years at a junior college. You are taking basic courses the first two years whether you go to UT, Memphis or a JC. So, why pay a bunch of money going to a major university when it is entirely unnecessary.
2. Work while going to the JC. Save up your money. If necessary work 40 hours some semesters and take night classes.
3. Carefully pick the college you want to go to for your last two years. Pick one that excels in your desired major. The school you get your degree from means a lot. The fact you did your first two years at a JC is totally meaningless to anyone who will hire you. At this point in your life, you will be more mature and better able to pick the right school for the right reasons.
4. If necessary, work and go to school and carry a light load of 9 hours some semesters. Consider taking night classes and working a semester during your last two years. Maybe it takes you 3 1/2 years...who cares?
5. When you pick a job to work at while doing the last two years, find one that will look good on your resume that relates to your major. The contacts and experience you will get will get you a great job when you get your degree.
6. It may take your 6 to 7 years to get that degree but...you will be older and more mature when you get into the work force, have work experience and will have no or little student loan debt.
Here is the important point...no one says that you HAVE TO GRADUATE IN FOUR YEARS. It is a myth and forces students to take on big student loans that burden them for a long time. Who cares if you take 6 or 7 years go get your degree...exactly who is counting???

Is it possible that the rising costs of higher education could actually benefit UofM? Costly as it is, commuting is still a cheaper option for locals than going off to a suitcase college. Plus there are far more part-time employment opportunities here than in small college towns. The latter reason is exactly why I transferred to Memphis State from Tennessee Tech in 1968 with my new wife.

When I started at the UofM in 96 we were roughly 70-75% funded by the state. When I left Memphis in 2008 I think the numbers had dropped below 50%. It might have been lower, and I'm sure it's lower now. We're no longer a state funded school, it's more like we're state supported.

With rising enrollment numbers and an emphasis on getting out of state and foreign students the school can definitely survive. One of the benefits to that plan is the higher tuition for out of state students. I currently work in the school of engineering at Pitt and that's one of the reasons that we're doing as well vs. the rest of Pitt. the engineering school made that decision years ago and it's paying off. I see the same thing being possible at Memphis.

There is much confusion over this issue. The 'for profit universities' are primarily responsible for the huge increase in student loans. This is not even an issue for large, traditional 4 year colleges.

(06-10-2015 08:22 AM)Gray Avenger Wrote:  Is it possible that the rising costs of higher education could actually benefit UofM? Costly as it is, commuting is still a cheaper option for locals than going off to a suitcase college. Plus there are far more part-time employment opportunities here than in small college towns. The latter reason is exactly why I transferred to Memphis State from Tennessee Tech in 1968 with my new wife.

and Tennessee Tech is better off for it

(06-09-2015 09:00 PM)TigerBill Wrote:  

(06-09-2015 08:16 PM)cotton1991 Wrote:  

(06-09-2015 03:44 PM)shere khan Wrote:  

(06-09-2015 01:12 PM)Willie Becton Wrote:  

(06-09-2015 12:39 PM)mairving Wrote:  Hasn't seemed to affect the other state university.

University of TN Knoxville To Undergo $1 Billion Dollar Makeover

It's actually the impending, snowballing problem of increased tuition costs and the turnaround inability to repay student loans.

I've counseled a bunch of new graduates who are having this problem. It appears that it will get worse before it gets better. I believe that as a community we can prepare our universities accordingly and make sure that they continue to be viable resources into the future.

Kids get so much money for college and take out too much money in loans. They live like they make they make a couple hundred grand a year. After graduation many take a pay cut. I bet they need counseling

I graduated from a private, Jesuit law school 37 yrs. ago and tuition was c. $900/semester. I paid my 1st semester's tuition by driving an ice cream truck the summer before. I worked at a convenience store during school and was able to pay much of my tuition as well as the $75/month rent for a 1 bedroom.

Try that nowadays. Back then minimum wage/low wage jobs could pay the rent easily. I don't know how kids make it today.

My old school is now $43,000 a year in tuition--I paid maybe $2200 my last year. So, no, I don't think students are the problem.

Ummm...no, students are not the problem. This is nothing different than every industry that grew to cater to baby boomers has gone through. Too many universities, too many choices, and the costs have been driven through the roof. Something's got to give.

Yet another social engineering experiment by the government gone bad.

(06-09-2015 10:16 PM)DallasTiger Wrote:  Here is the idiotic part of student loans. Rather than try to get through college in four years and end up with a ton of debt that you have to struggle to pay off, here ia a plan that works much better.
1. Take your first two years at a junior college. You are taking basic courses the first two years whether you go to UT, Memphis or a JC. So, why pay a bunch of money going to a major university when it is entirely unnecessary.
2. Work while going to the JC. Save up your money. If necessary work 40 hours some semesters and take night classes.
3. Carefully pick the college you want to go to for your last two years. Pick one that excels in your desired major. The school you get your degree from means a lot. The fact you did your first two years at a JC is totally meaningless to anyone who will hire you. At this point in your life, you will be more mature and better able to pick the right school for the right reasons.
4. If necessary, work and go to school and carry a light load of 9 hours some semesters. Consider taking night classes and working a semester during your last two years. Maybe it takes you 3 1/2 years...who cares?
5. When you pick a job to work at while doing the last two years, find one that will look good on your resume that relates to your major. The contacts and experience you will get will get you a great job when you get your degree.
6. It may take your 6 to 7 years to get that degree but...you will be older and more mature when you get into the work force, have work experience and will have no or little student loan debt.
Here is the important point...no one says that you HAVE TO GRADUATE IN FOUR YEARS. It is a myth and forces students to take on big student loans that burden them for a long time. Who cares if you take 6 or 7 years go get your degree...exactly who is counting???

Smartest thing any new college go'er can do.

(06-10-2015 08:55 AM)MemTiger90 Wrote:  

(06-09-2015 10:16 PM)DallasTiger Wrote:  Here is the idiotic part of student loans. Rather than try to get through college in four years and end up with a ton of debt that you have to struggle to pay off, here ia a plan that works much better.
1. Take your first two years at a junior college. You are taking basic courses the first two years whether you go to UT, Memphis or a JC. So, why pay a bunch of money going to a major university when it is entirely unnecessary.
2. Work while going to the JC. Save up your money. If necessary work 40 hours some semesters and take night classes.
3. Carefully pick the college you want to go to for your last two years. Pick one that excels in your desired major. The school you get your degree from means a lot. The fact you did your first two years at a JC is totally meaningless to anyone who will hire you. At this point in your life, you will be more mature and better able to pick the right school for the right reasons.
4. If necessary, work and go to school and carry a light load of 9 hours some semesters. Consider taking night classes and working a semester during your last two years. Maybe it takes you 3 1/2 years...who cares?
5. When you pick a job to work at while doing the last two years, find one that will look good on your resume that relates to your major. The contacts and experience you will get will get you a great job when you get your degree.
6. It may take your 6 to 7 years to get that degree but...you will be older and more mature when you get into the work force, have work experience and will have no or little student loan debt.
Here is the important point...no one says that you HAVE TO GRADUATE IN FOUR YEARS. It is a myth and forces students to take on big student loans that burden them for a long time. Who cares if you take 6 or 7 years go get your degree...exactly who is counting???

Smartest thing any new college go'er can do.

Not necessarily.
If you opt for a more prestigious, private university, the credits do not always transfer. This happens quite a lot. It is a great idea in theory but you can get hosed without knowing exactly where you are going and exactly what does and what does not transfer.

I always shake my head when my co workers tell me how much student debt, car debt, credit card debt etc they have. Do children's parents not teach them how to manage money? I grew up in a family with 7 children. We lived in a trailer. My family took no govt hand outs. I was the first male ever in my family tree to earn a college degree.

I managed to get my bachelors from the University of Arkansas, buy new cars for my wife & I and pay 40% down on a new home all while working and going to school full time & having a child. I did this debt free aside from my house with, at the time, a $50k per year job as a driver for fedex. It's all about your Priorities.

It's simple. You live within your means. Here's the irony. Because of the instruction I received as a child not only am I debt free but I've saved enough money through the years that I am now a certified small time lender. I lend money for cars, startup business costs etc. I'm continually amazed at how much debt people incur. But they line my pockets with money with their interest payments.

Save your money folks. Today more than ever your money is as precious as gold.

"Cash on the barrel", my Pa always said!- Laura Ingalls

(06-10-2015 10:51 AM)BIGDTiger Wrote:  I always shake my head when my co workers tell me how much student debt, car debt, credit card debt etc they have. Do children's parents not teach them how to manage money? I grew up in a family with 7 children. We lived in a trailer. My family took no govt hand outs. I was the first male ever in my family tree to earn a college degree.

I managed to get my bachelors from the University of Arkansas, buy new cars for my wife & I and pay 40% down on a new home all while working and going to school full time & having a child. I did this debt free aside from my house with, at the time, a $50k per year job as a driver for fedex. It's all about your Priorities.

It's simple. You live within your means. Here's the irony. Because of the instruction I received as a child not only am I debt free but I've saved enough money through the years that I am now a certified small time lender. I lend money for cars, startup business costs etc. I'm continually amazed at how much debt people incur. But they line my pockets with money with their interest payments.

Save your money folks. Today more than ever your money is as precious as gold.

"Cash on the barrel", my Pa always said!- Laura Ingalls

I don't care who you are, but most of us will never own anything without owing for it.

So just don't F up your credick.

WE DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR CREDIT WE CARE ABOUT YOU

This is interesting to me because I'm looking at becoming a college professor after doing a decade in the army, and I can't help but wonder if I'm going into an industry that's about to collapse, much like trying to become a home builder right before the housing market collapsed.

I think Cuban's right, I think there is going to be a crunch, but I think large, affordable state schools are going to be fine. The one's I think are going to be in trouble are going to be smaller private schools that don't have a national reputation, aren't well know outside of their region, and tend to be have a way-too-high sticker price and don't offer much financial assistance.

Think about Memphis buying Lambuth - a really nice school, I'm sure, but few people outside of Jackson, Tennessee knew about it, it didn't have a huge alumni association to draw from to help it out financially, and I've heard it was overpriced for a comparable education. Memphis, on the hand, is reasonably priced, has a built in market with the city and surrounding area, and has a national following to draw attention and alumni support due to things like the basketball team. Large state universities are going to do well, I'd like to say medium private schools that have a strong alumni base and large endowments will do well, and smaller liberal art schools that can stay within their means should be okay. But smaller schools that can't draw alumni support, overextend their resources, and have a problem getting their name out, along with for-profit schools that have a poor reputation and don't do well by their students are going to be in trouble.

(06-10-2015 10:51 AM)BIGDTiger Wrote:  I always shake my head when my co workers tell me how much student debt, car debt, credit card debt etc they have. Do children's parents not teach them how to manage money? I grew up in a family with 7 children. We lived in a trailer. My family took no govt hand outs. I was the first male ever in my family tree to earn a college degree.

I managed to get my bachelors from the University of Arkansas, buy new cars for my wife & I and pay 40% down on a new home all while working and going to school full time & having a child. I did this debt free aside from my house with, at the time, a $50k per year job as a driver for fedex. It's all about your Priorities.

It's simple. You live within your means. Here's the irony. Because of the instruction I received as a child not only am I debt free but I've saved enough money through the years that I am now a certified small time lender. I lend money for cars, startup business costs etc. I'm continually amazed at how much debt people incur. But they line my pockets with money with their interest payments.

Save your money folks. Today more than ever your money is as precious as gold.

"Cash on the barrel", my Pa always said!- Laura Ingalls

You don't seem to have a basic understanding of the two points being discussed. First, school, and everything was more affordable back then. My parents had regular jobs and owned 2 houses by the time they were in their mid 20's. Try doing that today making between 50-70k per year.

Second, university was much much less expensive back then.

(06-10-2015 12:06 PM)SMUleopold Wrote:  This is interesting to me because I'm looking at becoming a college professor after doing a decade in the army, and I can't help but wonder if I'm going into an industry that's about to collapse, much like trying to become a home builder right before the housing market collapsed.

I think Cuban's right, I think there is going to be a crunch, but I think large, affordable state schools are going to be fine. The one's I think are going to be in trouble are going to be smaller private schools that don't have a national reputation, aren't well know outside of their region, and tend to be have a way-too-high sticker price and don't offer much financial assistance.

Think about Memphis buying Lambuth - a really nice school, I'm sure, but few people outside of Jackson, Tennessee knew about it, it didn't have a huge alumni association to draw from to help it out financially, and I've heard it was overpriced for a comparable education. Memphis, on the hand, is reasonably priced, has a built in market with the city and surrounding area, and has a national following to draw attention and alumni support due to things like the basketball team. Large state universities are going to do well, I'd like to say medium private schools that have a strong alumni base and large endowments will do well, and smaller liberal art schools that can stay within their means should be okay. But smaller schools that can't draw alumni support, overextend their resources, and have a problem getting their name out, along with for-profit schools that have a poor reputation and don't do well by their students are going to be in trouble.

If you can do it, you should. You will maybe not get rich, but you will make good money, will have the satisfaction of knowing that you have a meaningful job where you help people, you will enjoy benefits like having health insurance and a pension plan, and you will have 2-3 months of vacation time every year.

(06-09-2015 10:16 PM)DallasTiger Wrote:  Here is the idiotic part of student loans. Rather than try to get through college in four years and end up with a ton of debt that you have to struggle to pay off, here ia a plan that works much better.
1. Take your first two years at a junior college. You are taking basic courses the first two years whether you go to UT, Memphis or a JC. So, why pay a bunch of money going to a major university when it is entirely unnecessary.
2. Work while going to the JC. Save up your money. If necessary work 40 hours some semesters and take night classes.
3. Carefully pick the college you want to go to for your last two years. Pick one that excels in your desired major. The school you get your degree from means a lot. The fact you did your first two years at a JC is totally meaningless to anyone who will hire you. At this point in your life, you will be more mature and better able to pick the right school for the right reasons.
4. If necessary, work and go to school and carry a light load of 9 hours some semesters. Consider taking night classes and working a semester during your last two years. Maybe it takes you 3 1/2 years...who cares?
5. When you pick a job to work at while doing the last two years, find one that will look good on your resume that relates to your major. The contacts and experience you will get will get you a great job when you get your degree.
6. It may take your 6 to 7 years to get that degree but...you will be older and more mature when you get into the work force, have work experience and will have no or little student loan debt.
Here is the important point...no one says that you HAVE TO GRADUATE IN FOUR YEARS. It is a myth and forces students to take on big student loans that burden them for a long time. Who cares if you take 6 or 7 years go get your degree...exactly who is counting???

I followed a lot of your ideas. I paid my own way. I took as many classes at Shelby State as possible for 2+ years then transferred to Memphis. At Memphis, some semesters I could only afford to pay for 6 hours. It took me a little longer to graduate but I was debt free.

(06-10-2015 12:06 PM)Stammers Wrote:  

(06-10-2015 10:51 AM)BIGDTiger Wrote:  I always shake my head when my co workers tell me how much student debt, car debt, credit card debt etc they have. Do children's parents not teach them how to manage money? I grew up in a family with 7 children. We lived in a trailer. My family took no govt hand outs. I was the first male ever in my family tree to earn a college degree.

I managed to get my bachelors from the University of Arkansas, buy new cars for my wife & I and pay 40% down on a new home all while working and going to school full time & having a child. I did this debt free aside from my house with, at the time, a $50k per year job as a driver for fedex. It's all about your Priorities.

It's simple. You live within your means. Here's the irony. Because of the instruction I received as a child not only am I debt free but I've saved enough money through the years that I am now a certified small time lender. I lend money for cars, startup business costs etc. I'm continually amazed at how much debt people incur. But they line my pockets with money with their interest payments.

Save your money folks. Today more than ever your money is as precious as gold.

"Cash on the barrel", my Pa always said!- Laura Ingalls

You don't seem to have a basic understanding of the two points being discussed. First, school, and everything was more affordable back then. My parents had regular jobs and owned 2 houses by the time they were in their mid 20's. Try doing that today making between 50-70k per year.

Second, university was much much less expensive back then.

So you will argue anything? You are probably the most miserable person I've ever communicated with.

Back then doesn't apply to me. I finished my degree 5 years ago compadre.

Stammers, meet fence post.

(06-10-2015 12:24 PM)Tiger5 Wrote:  

(06-09-2015 10:16 PM)DallasTiger Wrote:  Here is the idiotic part of student loans. Rather than try to get through college in four years and end up with a ton of debt that you have to struggle to pay off, here ia a plan that works much better.
1. Take your first two years at a junior college. You are taking basic courses the first two years whether you go to UT, Memphis or a JC. So, why pay a bunch of money going to a major university when it is entirely unnecessary.
2. Work while going to the JC. Save up your money. If necessary work 40 hours some semesters and take night classes.
3. Carefully pick the college you want to go to for your last two years. Pick one that excels in your desired major. The school you get your degree from means a lot. The fact you did your first two years at a JC is totally meaningless to anyone who will hire you. At this point in your life, you will be more mature and better able to pick the right school for the right reasons.
4. If necessary, work and go to school and carry a light load of 9 hours some semesters. Consider taking night classes and working a semester during your last two years. Maybe it takes you 3 1/2 years...who cares?
5. When you pick a job to work at while doing the last two years, find one that will look good on your resume that relates to your major. The contacts and experience you will get will get you a great job when you get your degree.
6. It may take your 6 to 7 years to get that degree but...you will be older and more mature when you get into the work force, have work experience and will have no or little student loan debt.
Here is the important point...no one says that you HAVE TO GRADUATE IN FOUR YEARS. It is a myth and forces students to take on big student loans that burden them for a long time. Who cares if you take 6 or 7 years go get your degree...exactly who is counting???

I followed a lot of your ideas. I paid my own way. I took as many classes at Shelby State as possible for 2+ years then transferred to Memphis. At Memphis, some semesters I could only afford to pay for 6 hours. It took me a little longer to graduate but I was debt free.

Yup, my degree says university of Arkansas, but most of my credits came from community colleges over the course of 10 years. Strategery. Add scholarships & discounts for owning a home & now all of a sudden that degree is much more attainable. I received north of $50k in scholarships.