It is an ongoing debate whether tuition fees for tertiary education should be paid by students or the government. While each approach has its own pros and cons, I believe that while most students should cover the expenses on their own, financial support should be allocated to those who are financially vulnerable or those who are academically superior to others.
On the one hand, one clear advantage of students paying their own college expenses is raising the sense of responsibility. When learners have to pay their own money, they will be motivated to work and study harder, which leads to better academic results. Moreover, tuition collection from students can also be used to improve universities’ infrastructure and expertise, bringing an up-to-date and professional learning environment which helps them learn valuable skills for the constantly changing job market. Furthermore, another significant benefit is that this approach helps reduce the burden on the government budget, which can be distributed for more immediate problems such as contagious diseases, global warming or natural disasters.
On the other hand, financial capability is a major concern for many students. Some have to work various part-time jobs to cover their college fees. As a result, they may experience mental disorders such as depression, leading to poorer academic performance. For instance, although the US government has issued student loans to college goers to cover their expensive tuition, the amount of money they have to return back seems unaffordable to many young graduates.
To conclude, although the approach of students paying their own tuition fees offers certain benefits, the drawbacks, which negatively affect financially disadvantaged students, are more concerning. In my opinion, scholarship and financial subsidies should be given to students who are poor or academically excellent to ensure equal access to education and drive motivation among students.