Tuition breakdown: Where does your money go?

Students are beginning to register for Spring Semester classes, but very few will pay much attention to where exactly their tuition is going.

Depending on the amount of hours students enroll for and whether the student is in-district, out-of-district, or foreign, the price of tuition varies. However, many students and parents may have questions about what is included in the bill.

Much of that bill goes to fees that a student or parent(s) may have never known about – there are things that students and parents pay for semester after semester that are never noticed.

Tammy Gilmore, director of Accounts, suggests that students read pages 49-54 of the Del Mar College Catalog. There, a student can be informed about the breakdown of the tuition and fees.

"It's all in the catalog and these fees have been pretty stable for the past couple years," Gilmore said.

Ruben Ysasi, physics major, has taken a look at his receipt after paying for tuition.

"My receipt showed random charges for things I wouldn't use at the time," Ysasi said. "Why am I paying for this or for that? It doesn't make sense," he said.

Some of these charges include basic fees that are charged to everyone such as fees for general use, building use, instructional support, student services and matriculation.

Mathematics major Jacob Cantu rarely looks at any receipt after a purchase. He has also never read through the catalog other than to review his degree plan.

"I trust in the college institution that I am charged accordingly. I just want to know what it takes to get my degree and move on," Cantu said.

In regards to the general use and building use fees, students are charged $10 per semester hour. There is an additional $25 general use fee with all non-credit courses.

The fees for the general use go toward the cost of transcripts, graduation, grounds improvements, technology centers, campus security and parking control.

The fees for the building use go toward the maintaining, improving and equipping campus facilities.

"I want to go to an attractive learning facility. I think students wouldn't want to associate themselves with a run down college," Cantu said.

Many students do not know that there is a Gymnasium available to them on campus. This fee is used for access to such areas.

The $50-per-semester-hour fee charged for instructional support is one that makes more sense to students. "I use the writing labs about once or twice a week. Tutors that are free of charge are provided and are very helpful," Ysasi said.

Maria Colin is a part-time professional tutor in the Stone Writing Center. Colin said that she assists nearly six students daily for 30 minutes. Also, this is a service that is free to the public.

"Students often complain about paying for services that they do not use, but if all students are not charged, these services will become nonexistent," Colin said.

Ysasi said he takes advantage of the music hall practice rooms, the gym and the library most of all.

DMC offers many students clubs and organizations for pleasure and learning experience of students. Club activities are paid for through a $7-per-semester-hour fee.

The fee provides funding for cultural programs, Intramural Sports, Registered Student Organization activities, Student Publications (newspaper and magazine) and other related student programs.

There is listed fee for matriculation in the catalog as well – all students are charged $10 per semester hour to defray the costs of creating and maintaining student records.