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A survey of high school students examined why they did not go on to college or university. 72% of students identifying a barrier to attending college or university listed “finances” as a barrier.

Between 1990 and 2006, the Consumer Price Index, the average annual change in the costs of goods and service, rose 39.2%. Over the same period, the increase in tuition fees was 196.9%.

According to American researcher Edward St. John, for every $1000 in tuition fee hikes, low-income students are up to 19% less likely to complete their studies.

A student who takes twenty years to repay a loan at 7.5% interest will have repaid 193% of the value of the loan.

In a poll conducted by Decima Research in fall 2006, Canadians preferred a tuition fee reduction to a 1% cut in the Goods and Services tax by almost a two-to-one margin.

In 2004, more British Members of Parliament opposed tuition fee increases than the illegal invasion of Iraq.

Wales eliminated tuition fees in 2002.

All tuition fees were eliminated in Ireland in 1995.

After tuition fees were eliminated in Ireland, university research funding was increased and more faculty members were hired.

After tuition fees were eliminated in Ireland, the economy was the strongest in the European Union for 5 years in a row.

After tuition fees were eliminated in Ireland, out migration—a serious problem in the past for Ireland—was virtually eliminated.

After tuition fees were eliminated in Ireland, the resulting economic improvements mitigated the need for any tax increases.

After tuition fees were eliminated in Ireland, participation among the least well off Irish families increased to 47%.

RANDOM FACT ABOUT ME: i'd like to go back to school, but i cannot afford it.