Struggling Father of Holy Cross Student Forced to Sell Fifth Property to Cover Higher Education Expenses; Skyrocketing Lobby Store Costs Add to Financial Woes
In a recent announcement, the Holy Cross Board of Trustees approved a 5.6% increase in tuition for the upcoming academic year, following President Rougeau's statement expressing regret. This decision has stirred concerns among students, particularly those from low-income families, who are grappling with the financial strain caused by the rise in costs.
One such student, Tevin Kaylor, voiced his family's dissatisfaction with the tuition increase. Despite his father owning multiple mansions, he was forced to sell his 5th mansion to cover the increased tuition costs. Tevin's father declined to comment, citing charity commitments.
The College of the Holy Cross has, however, committed to covering tuition for families with annual incomes under $100,000 starting from the 2022-2023 academic year. This move is expected to provide some relief to a portion of the student body.
The Holy Cross NIL Fund, labelled as the "driving force" behind the tuition increase, has not been explicitly linked to the impact on low-income students. The search results do not provide specific information on this matter, but general context on tuition and financial aid at Holy Cross can be inferred.
The 2021-2022 academic year saw 65% of the student body benefiting from the $76.5 million the school set aside for tuition aid. However, the impact of the tuition increase on these students and their future financial prospects remains uncertain. The Administration has told students receiving financial aid that the increase is unlikely to affect them currently but may impact their ability to buy a house in the future.
This situation underscores the importance of universities adopting data-driven enrollment and discounting strategies, increasing outreach to first-generation and diverse applicant pools, and offering targeted support to maintain access and affordability for low-income students amid tuition changes, as suggested by a BCG report on US higher education.
Kate Santini '27, the Chief News Editor, and Ian Sykes '28, the Luxury Lifestyle Correspondent, are leading the coverage on this issue at Holy Cross. Brendan Grudberg '28 is among the HC NIL donors contributing to the ongoing discourse.
Tevin Kaylor, expressing his personal dissatisfaction with the tuition increase, is concerned about his future job prospects and ability to pay off the tuition. His concerns resonate with many students who are navigating the challenges of rising tuition costs and uncertain financial futures.
As the academic year progresses, it will be crucial to monitor the effects of the tuition increase on students, particularly those from low-income families, and to assess the school's efforts to mitigate the impact through financial aid adjustments and targeted support.
[1] BCG, "Universities must rethink enrollment and pricing strategies to compete in a rapidly changing landscape," 2021. [2] College of the Holy Cross, "2025-2026 Student-Parent Handbook," 2025.
- The tuition increase for the upcoming academic year has sparked worries among students, particularly those from low-income families, as they struggle with the financial implications.
- Tevin Kaylor, a student at Holy Cross, vocalized his family's dissatisfaction with the rise in tuition costs, which has forced him to sell his 5th mansion to cover the expenses.
- In response to concerns, the College of the Holy Cross has pledged to cover tuition for families with annual incomes under $100,000 starting from the 2022-2023 academic year, aiming to alleviate some of the financial burden.
- The ongoing discourse about the tuition increase includes coverage by Kate Santini '27, the Chief News Editor, and Ian Sykes '28, the Luxury Lifestyle Correspondent, with Brendan Grudberg '28 contributing to the discussion as an HC NIL donor.
