Keeping college costs down | News

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Tuition seems to go up every year for college students across the Commonwealth.

Now Governor Bob McDonnell is providing Virginia colleges with nearly $230 million in state funding to help keep tuition prices down.

That's good news for students like Brandon Williams.

He's finishing up his fifth year at VCU.

"It's been a real struggle. My five years here, I've had problems every semester. I register late because I have holds on my account due to me not getting my money paid."

Right now, VCU and many other universities are figuring out tuition for next year.

McDonnell said tuition went up an average of nearly 10 percent at Virginia colleges and universities this school year.

That's been the trend now for a decade.

Williams said it's beyond frustrating to see his tuition bill go up each and every year.

"Most kids come here and want to get a degree to get a job and when they're denied that due to high tuition, it's really depressing."

So far UVA is the only school in the Commonwealth to set its tuition for next year and students there will be expected to pay nearly four percent more.

McDonnell said 58 percent of college students graduate with more than $23,000 in debt.

Despite this extra money for state schools, students like Hayley Sharpe said they're bracing for another year of tuition hikes.

"It's kind of sad. There are a lot of people not going to college for that very reason and the fact that it keeps getting harder is not any more encouraging."

We reached out to VCU, Virginia State and Virginia Tech for comment for this story.

VSU and Virginia Tech did not return our phone calls.

VCU said it would issue a statement. We're still awaiting their response.