Students ask whether the free tuition, bookstore voucher deal is fair
Cleveland State University announced in June 2020 a new plan to help students financially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The plan, titled the “2-for-1 Tuition Promise,” would give incoming freshmen free tuition and upperclassmen a $150 bookstore voucher for spring 2021, depending on their fall 2020 performance.
The “2-for-1 Tuition Promise” means that freshmen who earned at least a 2.75 GPA for fall 2020 would receive free tuition for spring 2021. In order for upperclassmen to receive the voucher, they needed at least a 3.0 GPA for fall 2020.
The offer provided something for everyone, but critics say that the bookstore voucher is an unfair reward compared to free tuition, and the higher GPA requirement seems unnecessary. Moreover, freshmen were also offered the bookstore voucher in addition to free tuition if they had at least a 3.0 GPA in fall 2020.
Ariana Marich is a sophomore at Cleveland State studying Communication. After transferring to CSU at the beginning of her sophomore year, Marich had to adjust to both a new school and remote classes.
“The free tuition was offered to only freshmen to accommodate for the pandemic, but all upperclassmen are affected by these challenges as well,” Marich said.
Marich is one of many students at Cleveland State University who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has changed many students’ financial and learning situations since 2020.
“I believe CSU is doing a good job at accommodating with classes and learning changes,” Marich said. “However, the pandemic is affecting us all and I wish they could do more to help upperclassmen financially.”
Bradley Koblin, who is a junior studying Civil Engineering. The transition to online and remote classes for his degree has been difficult for him. He shared his frustration with Cleveland State.
“There is still a full payment of tuition required for a college that hardly requires you to attend their campus since many classes have been pushed to a remote format,” Koblin said.
For Rachel Williams who is graduating in May, the book store voucher is a weak solution to the problems her and other students are facing during the pandemic.
“Motivation is at an all time low,” Williams said. “It is already difficult to be dealing with the pandemic.”
The “2-for-1 Tuition Promise” will continue for incoming freshmen for the upcoming 2021-2022 academic year. However, students must earn at least a 3.0 GPA for fall 2021 for free tuition during their spring 2022 semester.
Recent News
The origins of 4/20 and why Ohioans are toking today
Summer is fast approaching, and this year Ohioans should be able to legally smoke recreational marijuana while enjoying the sunshine. That it's not possible yet to legally buy weed won't stop people from rolling a joint to celebrate 4/20.
SGA survey indicates many students don't want a set textbook fee
Cleveland State’s Student Government Association (SGA) has been surveying students about an administrative initiative to set a universal sliding book fee for students.
Black women inspire with their stories
Five Black women inspired their audience, March 1, at a panel organized by Cleveland State's Mareyjoyce Green Women’s Center to initiate women’s history month with a discussion of the meaning of Black womanhood.
"Best of" The Cleveland Stater spring 2024 #2
In this edition of the "best of" The Cleveland Stater, we highlight stories about Notre Dame college's recent closing and the end of the CSU women's basketball team's historic season.
CSU celebrates faculty accomplishments and promotions
“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to all of us,” President Laura Bloomberg, said, quoting Voltaire in her opening remarks at Cleveland State's annual Celebration of Faculty Excellence.
Over 100 vendors attend CSU career fair
The Career fair has become one of the biggest events each year at CSU. Career Development and Exploration hosts the fair, which this year brought together potential employers with students on March 7, 2024. One hundred and twenty-five employers, 275 recruiters from industries across the region, and 16 school districts were represented. A third of the employers said they were open to hiring international students.
Opinion - Safety last, ignorance first: the CSU motto?
Incoming Cleveland State freshmen are required to take an introduction to university life course in their first year at Cleveland State. In this course, students are taught how to reach out to their professors and are encouraged to interact among their peers. But, is it enough?
High school students battle for top robot
55 high school teams competed for top robot at the 25th annual FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Buckeye Regional competition at the Wolstein Center from March 20-23.
How we saw the 2024 solar eclipse
Many Clevelanders had their cameras at the ready this past Monday when the solar eclipse made its way through their backyards, doing their best to capture the beauty of an experience that may only happen once in your lifetime. The Cleveland Stater also captured some worthwhile shots earlier this week from different spots around Cleveland.
CSU men's lacrosse defeats Queens University, 12-7
Cleveland State men’s lacrosse team upset the favored Queens University Royals at Krenzler Field on Wednesday for the Vikings third straight ASUN (Atlantic Sun Conference) home victory.
