When students begin their applications for college, tuition is one of their top concerns. Financial aid and scholarships all factor into whether an institution is affordable. As students continue their college educations, tuition will increase. UT recently announced it would increase tuition by 9 percent.

Compared to some SEC universities, such as Georgia, Florida and Alabama, UT has a cheaper tuition. But, as tuition rates increase, UT is closing the gap.   

The UT Web site has a breakdown of the fees associated with the tuition. No information provided explains how the fees are distributed. No one in the Bursar's Office could explain which programs receive money, or how much each program receives. 

Last year, the Student Government Association passed a bill that created a fee charging each student $5 per semester for study abroad programs.

UT recently announced it would increase tuition by 9 percent. Five dollars doesn't seem like a lot, but with a student body in excess of 26,000, the university is annually taking in more than $260,000 to fund a program that many will not take a part in. Every student has the opportunity to study abroad, but many don't qualify to receive funds allowing them to do so. So, students are paying to send others overseas.

The most astonishing fee is a $26 charge for transportation each semester. The T-Link costs the school more than a million dollars each year. Once again, regardless of whether students use the service or not, they must pay the fee. 

The UT Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships reported that although tuition is being increased, the university won't be able to give out additional aid next semester. So while more students will be applying for financial aid, scholarships and loans for the fall, the additional funding simply won't be there to help. 

Several weeks ago, students were opposed to removing the tuition cap. Had the bill been passed, in-state students would have been paying nearly $95,000 for a five-year education. Out-of-state students would have been paying nearly $160,000. Both figures are calculated using tuition and estimated living costs from UT's Web site. 

The removal of the tuition cap was not passed, and students were relieved. But, after calculating a five-year education with the current tuition hike (assuming no more will be enforced before graduation), students would have been better off with the removal of the tuition cap. With the new costs, including estimated living, in-state students will be paying more than $100,000 for a five-year education. Out-of-state students will spend about $170,000. 

With students having to pay up to $100,000 for their education, the school should be spending the money wisely. But it's not.

It is inevitable that budget cuts force institutions to find a way to make up for lost revenue, but UT's way of doing so must be reevaluated. 

Students should only pay fees for programs that are justified, not for the study abroad program. The university must provide students with a quality education at a more affordable price.