The California State University Board of Trustees approved on Nov. 10 a 15 percent fee hike for all CSU campuses.

Tuition will go up 5 percent for the spring 2011 semester and another 10 percent for the fall.

“As a starving student, it will hit me hard,” said Richard Granstaff, a City College student who plans to transfer to SDSU in 2011.

“I rely on Cal Grant, Pell Grant and loans,” Granstaff said. “My fear is that the fees will outpace aid and I will be unable to continue.”

One way to beat the big fee hike is to go half-time and pay half the price, but the idea does not sit well with some students.

“Going half-time isn’t worth it because I want to finish faster,” said Sonia Villanueva.

“I (left) SDSU because I couldn’t afford it,” said City student Dafne Flores. “I was saving up to go back next year, but it seems kind of impossible at this moment,”

Cal State’s financial committee approved the measure with a 6-1 vote. CSU trustees say they needed to raise student fees to cover deep cuts in state funding. Last year, students protested when fees were increased by 30 percent.

“People can protest all they want, but in the end, we don’t have a choice,” said Ron Weaver, a City student. Weaver says he will pay the increased fees. “It doesn’t matter because if you want a good education, you have to pay for it.”

CSU had requested that the state provide up to $121 million to stop the 2011-2012 fee increase.

“CSU’s enrollment will be higher than the previous two years,” said Chancellor Charles B. Reed. “We are hopeful that the incoming governor and the legislature will realize the importance of providing the funding to support the services critical for the success of these
students.”

Other San Diego colleges are feeling the pinch, as well. Tuition has gone up at the University of San Diego and the University of California San Diego.

USD student Tim Machado is working toward his four-year degree but taking classes at City College.

“Since the tuition went up at USD, I have to take my last 30 units at community college,” Machado said.