S ix thousand, 12 percent, 78 percent ... do these numbers mean anything to you? If you are a college student they will. According to a wral.com report, 6,000 qualified North Carolina college students will not receive a financial aid package this year that is even remotely comparable to their financial aid package from previous years. WRAL went on to show that the state budget cut would also mean a 12 percent cut in need based assistance for private colleges. If you take that a step further, a significant portion of the 78 percent that are Saint Augustine’s College students will receive smaller need based grants if any at all.

In addition to these staggering numbers, the budget cuts will also affect higher education institutions’ budgets. Many institutions will have to lower their budgets and or eliminate some programs in attempts to financially rectify the lack of government aid to support students. Essentially, as tuition goes up (partially because of budget cuts and an unpredictable economic environment), financial aid packages will decrease. As financial aid packages decrease so do budgets for the institutions, thus creating an environment for an increase in drop out rates and a decline in quality educations.

If you are a current Saint Augustine’s College student, you may experience first hand the effects of the budget cuts, whether in the organizations you participate in or a reduction in available resources …the ramifications of the cuts will may be felt. If you are a parent of a current or future Saint Augustine’s College student you may also have to find other ways to pay for your child’s college education if you were planning on relying on financial aid. If you are an alumnus of St. Aug, the budget cuts could affect you as well; your potential legacy may decide to not attend college due to a lack of funding.

Saint Augustine’s College will continue to provide students with an education they rightfully deserve. However, due to budget cuts many students will not be able to continue their collegiate experience because they simply won’t be able to afford it without financial aid. Your gift will help various Saint Augustine’s College achieve their dream of a college education. Click here to give today.