University of Georgia student Tiffany King describes herself as a "fifth-year senior" who isn't in a hurry to finish college.
"They encourage us to take 15 hours so we can graduate earlier," King said. "I didn't want to rush anything, because I enjoy my classes. ... I just enjoy taking my time."
She isn't alone. The average college student now takes five years to complete a bachelor's degree, according to Alan Richard of the Southern Regional Education Board.
Efforts by the University System Board of Regents to nudge students along haven't met much with success.
The regents approved a flat rate for tuition in April, doing away with the popular "Fixed for Four" guaranteed rate, starting with this fall's incoming freshmen. The tuition increase to $3,035 per semester also included a twist designed to urge students to take a full 15-hour credit load: Students who sign up for 12 credit hours in a semester pay the same rate as those who take 15 hours.
In August, the regents refined the plan with a complex tuition structure aimed at rewarding students for taking more hours per semester.
Last fall, 24 percent of the freshmen at UGA and 25 percent at Georgia Tech took a full load of 15 hours. This fall, under the new tuition structure, the 15-hour rate at UGA remained 24 percent, though Georgia Tech's rose to 28 percent.
"It's a little disturbing to me that you only have 25 percent taking 15 hours," said Regent Felton Jenkins of Madison.
A minimum of 15 hours is required every semester to graduate in four years - and that regular turnover is good for the system.
"Demand for college enrollment is up, and we need those seats," Richard said.
Regents said last week that a record 300,000 students have enrolled in the state's 35 public colleges and universities during the current semester, an increase of 7 percent. But the schools were designed for them to move out of the system after four years.
For King, taking more classes might interfere with the clubs she participates in and could make it harder for her to keep up her grades. Asked if she would be pleased with herself 10 years from now when she is paying the added expense on her student loan for the extended college career, she didn't hesitate.
"Even though you have all this money to pay, it really was worth it," she said. "I guess I'm not worried about paying back the loans."
Comments
"I guess I'm not worried about paying back the loans." How dumb we are when we are young. You darned sure had better worry about paying back that loan, Tiffany! In fact, you would behoove yourself to try and graduate in LESS than 4 years to save money as opposed to dragging things out to 5 years! Foolish attitude.
I graduated from UGA in four years and I was on the Hope scholarship, but I have to add that it is difficult to get every class you need each semester. Some courses are full within moments of when online registration opens up. I had to wait several semesters to get classes I needed sometimes. Many of UGA's programs (and GA Tech's) require more hours than you can fit in four years. Smart college students know that recruiters don't care how long it took you to graduate. If you can make a 4.0 in 5 years by taking your time and gaining some work experience, you are better off than the kid who crammed 5 classes (15 hours) into each semester, didn't work to gain experience, and barely passed.
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