Education
Colorado Student Pays $14,309.51 Tuition Bill One Dollar at a Time
- Posted on January 16, 2011 at 11:58pm by
Scott Baker
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While tuition increases in Britain prompted violent protests last month, rising college fees rarely elicit more than shrugs among most students in the United States.
But on Friday, a sophomore at the University of Colorado, Boulder, found a symbolic way to strike back.
The student, Nic Ramos, paid his entire spring semester tuition — all $14,309.51 of it — using dollar bills, a 50-cent piece and a penny.
Via Gawker which adds:
This is a very effective strategy. In the next couple days, shamed University of Colorado officials will undoubtedly announce that they never realized how much money they were charging and all tuition will be free from now on.
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Comments (91)
Ron_WA
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:15amWhile I applaud him for pointing out that college tuition is growing far faster than the rest of the economy, I have little sympathy for the cost – it is an investment.
I paid my own way (no mommy, daddy or benefactors) just after-school jobs, summer employment & loans.
Years of debt made me appreciate the education & opportunities I paid for – that & hard work allowed me to retire comfortably at 44 (good investment).
Report Post »sodun
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:13amA truck load of unwrapped pennies would have been better. The collage probably have turned him away and refused payment…it might have meant free tuition?
Report Post »TAKEITBACK
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:50amWait till he gets a job and see’s his tax bill. But he will probably end up working for the government.
Report Post »swega
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:30amLooks like he’s learning a lot in college. Idiot courses must be the norm. Is there a need to go to school? People have bought into the mindset that everyone needs to go so book prices go up (way too high), tuition goes up, more faculty get hired on, etc. Of course, you hear schools make no money but in my area, all of them are building and rennovating. Plus with all the grants, mom & dad paying, not many pay for their own way anymore but can afford new cars in the parking lot, going on spring break to the beaches,… College students have it so hard. Btw, I am attending college while working and raising a family and always hear the majority of students whining about such things. Get off you butt and get a job.
Report Post »streetrodder
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:22amSounds like he saved his tip money, I wonder where he worked and what he did.
Report Post »ProudTeaPartyMember
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:10amToo bad he wasn’t Black … errr … African AAmerican, or in a union. He could have gotten Obama Stash. Does he work for GM?
popeyebedford
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 5:34amThat money will never be reouped in higher wages…unless he lives to be 150, and never retires…
Report Post »justice
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 5:13amDo these college students ever heard of working while going to school. Or join the Military and man up to get their education, while also serving our country. I could not afford to send my Son to college, so he choice this course. It made a responsible man out of him. Thank you all military serving. God Bless.
Report Post »IVillageIdiot
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:13amWhat is worse, is that he paid the $14K+… and, apparently didn’t get much in exchange for it….
A mind is such a terrible thing to waste….
Report Post »SeanW
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:05amWould have been a bit cooler if he could’ve gotten a couple hundred other students to join him and all show up to make their payments; in person and in cash to the board as they quibble and bicker about how to increase the union’s share.
Report Post »SIXFRIGATES
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 1:08amAs a college student in the system it becomes clearer everyday that all schools are nothing but for-profit. I say pull all state and federal funding from institutions who continue to raise tuition and fees semester after semester. It’s not about education anymore, it’s about nothing but money.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 6:22amRemember…..OBAMA CARE took over all student loans. 35,000 people lost their jobs and private companies will lose zillions in interest. BUT ..under an obama loan your repay ‘according to your means’ which can be translated into a dollar a year or never. Why did the guy pay ???? Obama and Biden both promised Free College for all.
Report Post »DTOM_Jericho
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 1:01amUm, this was your CHOICE to go to college, correct? Isn’t this a commodity you pay for? It’s obviously a defective product you brainwashed tool.
Report Post »ChristianFamily
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:51amThis is an absolute colossal waste of time. . . .CU could not care less how they got their $14K. Youth. . .I remember when I was young and thought I was really creative. Pfffffffffffff!!!!
Report Post »varptr
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:50amAbout a thousand dollars per credit hour, that’s pretty stiff. But I‘m sure he made the bursar’s job just so much better, what a jerk. The real question is, “What bank puts up with such nonsense?”. Might want to also check if there are any recent gun purchases paid for in dollars.
Report Post »stheide1
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:46amSwampy loved your story. I can just see there faces when you brought all those pennies in. And to the students way to go.
Report Post »emertz8413
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:26amMe too, loved the story, that is. Just called mine is out of college, that last year cost us $30,000. School could care less how he paid it, it’s paid!
Report Post »chumleytodd
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:44amI’m sure NO ONE else has ever paid in cash… and go to a state school if u don’t want to pay the out of state tuition. pointless story, pointless video. Freedom of speech is great though!
Report Post »dukestreet
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 1:51amWhy not? I did. I figured it I had to work to pay for it ,they should at least have to count it in front of me. Actually I did the same thing ,paid in $1.00 bills just like him. It was a while ago though and didn’t cost quite so much. But the, wages were much less so it was same diff basically
Report Post »David
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:39amPoor guy, he actually had to pay for schooling. Ohhh, I see it is from the New York Times, some of that worthless information.
Report Post »Who cares, if it is too high, go to another school.
I have to agree with others, he should of said he was an illegal, probably would not have had to pay a dime. Sorry senor, me have no id.
brotherhiram
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:08pmdavid, 14k to pay tenured teachers who can do and say what they want, who expect their students to believe what they say… yes 14k to be indoctrinated by overly protected left wingnuts is too much.
throw in millions of dollars for sports programs and facilities… when you look at it, out of the 14k he dropped off, maybe 3k actually went towards education.
Report Post »fedlibertarian
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:23amWell, since education is a ‘right’, according to the pinkos among us, I‘m sure we’re not far from the ‘evil’ colleges being nationalized; for the good of the children, of course. It would never occur to the brain-dead illogical, pathological frauds preaching universal education that some, actually most people, do not need to go to college. Some people are perfectly capable of succeeding very well on two years of education. That by sending EVERYONE to college, the worth of an undergrad degree means less than a peso. That the only winners are the schools with BILLIONS in taxpayer subsidized profits. An undergrad education means so little these days, since every mental defect and his cousin has one, trying to find a job with one is as useless as trying to reason with unions. “But what you’re doing is crazy! Going into debt for years for a job which you can’t even live on, if you ever find one that is.“ ”Oh well,” the student will say, “I guess I’ll just go to law school.” America won’t even last half as long as Rome.
Report Post »Slowman101
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:21amWow. Talk about an expensive school! Good for him.
Report Post »joan k
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:20amOnly $14K? There are some schools that have the gall to charge $50K!
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:29amNot ones that are state funded.
Report Post »Xcori8r
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:16am$14K for a semester at a state school? Sounds like a an extortion racket to me.
Report Post »sing it out
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:40amMy tuition is much higher, but it’s a private school. They take no government funding and the quality of education is superb, so it is worth it. This guy needs to realize one cannot get something for nothing! I don’t know why he is complaining – if he loves the school and education, it should be worth the price. If not, then go to a cheaper school!
Report Post »Does anyone else think the bodyguard/friend looks like Shia LaBeouf?
I hope the guy doesn’t get mugged…
USAMama
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:14amNice…. a peaceful protest in such a creative way!! Love it!!
Report Post »fyvagirl
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:08amMMMM>>>way to prove a point…keep us posted on the University’s reaction…they have to count it all right???
Report Post »AmericanSoldier
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 1:22amIf they think their education is not worth $14,000 they can take their money and go to school somewhere cheaper. That’s the best way to prove a point to the university. If they lose students, they’ll consider their high tuition costs again.
Complaining about it yet doing something obnoxious that won‘t do anything but inconvenience a few employees won’t change a thing.
Transfer to a community college if you think $14,000 is too rich for your blood.
Report Post »Mannax
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 6:55amIf he kept it in 100 bill bundles, then it won’t be that hard. And if he made sure it was entirely loose money, then they have machines that they just stack the money in and it can count the dollars. Should probably take two or three horus at most. The machine will count it and wrap it in nice 100 bill bundles to be shipped off to the bank.
Report Post »Butterfly2012
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:05amGreat way to make a peaceful point!
Report Post »MAULEMALL
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:12amAnother attention whore who can’t wait to show how much smarter and cooler he is than everyone else..
obviously his momma didn’t give him enough attention.
Report Post »USAMama
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:19amMaulemall
Seriously?? Thats rediculous!! He see’s a problem and has found a peaceful way to show his disdain. He’s thinking “outside the box”. I say BRAVO!!
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:29amI got a ticket for doing 49 in a 45 that was $169, I tried to pay them $170 in cash, they said we can’t make change, told them to keep the change, oh, can’t do that, brought them back $169 in rolled pennies. They changed their crappy policy.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:48amWhere did he get all those $ 1 bills ?
Report Post »Does he work @ Chipndales?
CatB
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:44amI thought of a stripper also … if it had been a female would they have made the connection?
Report Post »USAMama
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:54am@ Cheeswhiz
He says in the video he was going to banks to get $1 bills. He mentioned that he took all the bills the one bank had to offer and was off to try and cash in his other 5′s, 10‘s and 20’s for 1′s if he could find a bank that would help him out. He’s really putting some effort into this, thats dedication. Good for him.
Report Post »White Devil
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 1:19pmWhat is wrong with you people applauding this entitlement *****. He deserves? He is owed? Nobody is making him go to that school. I’m ashamed of anybody who thinks anybody owes them anything. He can make his point like a man and change schools to one he can afford rather than act like a little spoiled baby. What next, is he going to hold his breath until he gets what he wants?
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:02amAt a state school? He should have been an illegal alien, would have gotten it much cheaper.
Report Post »A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:30amLOL @ Gawker!
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:31amIn the next couple days, shamed University of Colorado officials will undoubtedly announce that they never realized how much money they were charging and all tuition will be free from now on.
Report Post »——–
Thats some optimism
diesel71dan
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:43amNo, No, No…. not ALL illegals. That was only for “law abiding illegals. If anyone finds out what a law abiding ILLEGAL is, please let me know.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 12:51amIf anyone finds out what a law abiding ILLEGAL is, please let me know.
______
Will take some time.
Report Post »Right now I’m looking for peaceful muslims.
After that they want me to find patriotic marxists
:D
Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 1:12amAnd where did he get the $14k? Ask Mommy and Daddy, but hey, he paid and now he gets to go to school, unlike a lot of people in the US. What is the beef here? If you want a degree, it costs money, if you want a free education, go somewhere else if they will take you. Otherwise, shut up and study.
Report Post »Also, if he was so smart, why doesn’t he have a scholarship?
vagirl007
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 3:15amIn response to DARMOK AND JALAD AT TANAGRA comment about why no scholarship if so smart. Here’s the answer. Scholarships in the US are largely reserved for minorities, non-Americans and handicapped. Even if he were a straight A student, his color will preclude him from most scholarships. White kids, by and large, have to pay their own way or take on tremendous debt to get a college education. As someone who has researched this for many years, this is how it is whether you believe it or not and it is an injustice.
Report Post »afroggy
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 3:18amNo Way!!
Some journalist got “buffaloed” on this one.
According to this,
http://www.colorado.edu/bursar/lib/pdf/ugres10-11.pdf
I don’t see how tuition would come to over $14,000. Maybe, if you add in food & housing and a lot of other fees (health insurance) it might come up into that range. But that figure is way too high for just tuition. Look at the official “swindle sheet” and tell us what you come up with. Sounds like it’s just another example of some low brow journalist that either busted out of dumbbell math as an undergraduate, or just never bothered to confirm his/her story. It was the New York Times, so I’m leaning towards both probabilities.
Report Post »CMann122
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 3:39amAFroggy, he’s probably paying out-of-state tuition. That .pdf you linked to is in-state.
Report Post »Jackers
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:33amAnd what for? What jobs are available for High School, College and University graduates these days? As we continue to import one million new immigrants each year, not to mention countless numbers of illegal aliens each year, jobs become more and more scarce… And what jobs are available offer less and less pay… Talk about a crazy paradigm…
Report Post »captaincrunch
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 7:42amGood for him. $14000 and change for school that “won’t“ guarentee a job to pay it back is a ”load of horsehockey”
Report Post »Goobergregory
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:11am@DARMAK When my daughter was getting close to College age (I only made about 35K at the time) we were searching for any scholorships or grants that we could find. She was a Honor student and got one very small scholorship for academics. I mean SMALL! We could not even qualify for any reduced tuition or college loans because she is white and I worked. She ended up taking on loans to get through and I helped as much as I could, but we did find that the benefits to minorities and kids with welfare parents got to go pretty much for free!
Report Post »lobster
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:22amI f we are in fact importing 1000K people ech year, where in the heck are they living? They arn’t buying heavily discounted houses.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 8:27amProbably for free with books, food, lodging, $ for anything extra and a bonus for his parents for being smart enough to break into the system.
Report Post »rlmeals
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:20amTen years ago I was a high school senior applying tirelessly for scholarships. Almost every one of them was for a minority, and the academic scholarships were mostly for valedictorians or salutatorians, or those in the top 10% of their class. We had a very large class, almost 1000 people (that may not be large in other schools, but it is here!). I had an A average, but was on just this side of the 10% mark. So even though I was an A student, took AP classes, had LOTS of extra-curriculars (which they say look good on a college ap, but for some reason don’t help), and also was a teacher’s aide my senior year instead of getting out of school early like I had the option to do. And I had tons of volunteer work.
My extra-curriculars were marching and concert band, jazz band, choir, show choir, and theater. I competed in District, Area, and State for band and choir, earned four letters, and many many awards for band and choir (earned a 1 every year I competed in multiple solos and ensembles for band and choir…that’s the highest score you could get). My letter jacket doesn’t have a blank spot on it. With all that, I still couldn’t get a stinking scholarship.
I’m white. I can’t get a scholarship, yet the ONLY requirement for the minority scholarships that were available was to be a minority. They had no additional academic requirement. Yet a WHITES ONLY scholarship is considered racist. This is ridiculous. This is twisted logic, reverse racism.
By the way, I ended up getting the maximum scholarship the music department was allowed to give…$1000 per year. Not much help, but I was grateful. Of course, this from the same school that gives full rides to emerging sports stars…but the fine arts are only allowed $1000 per year. That’s twisted logic, too.
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 10:34amThe video is accurate – $14,000 per semester for out-of-state tuition at CU-Boulder campus. I didn’t see either student complaining about the high cost – they realize that you have to pay whatever the school asks if you want to go to a school out of state, that’ s just the way it is. I for one am glad they are getting some perspective on exactly how much money thier famailies are paying to get them an education where they chose to go.
Report Post »fourfreedom
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 11:26amSad but TRUE!! It hurts to be an legal citizen in YOUR own Country.
Report Post »White Devil
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 1:14pm“rlmeals” It’s not reverse racism, it pure racism. You have fallen for the liberal word trap that only minorities can experience racism. You are the victim of racism straight up my friend.
Report Post »rlmeals
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 2:26pm@white devil: Excuse me for using the PC term. I’m well aware that racism is racism no matter to whom it is directed.
Report Post »danieljersey
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 5:05pm@RLMEALS: Spare me the sob story. I too was an honor student with a 4.0 gpa, extra-curriculars, and captain of my baseball and football teams but could not get a full scholarship either and my school was/is very expensive. Guess what, I am not white. All of those minority scholarships you are crying about are really only meant for inner-city kids or immigrants with great “survival” stories- as told to me by one of scholarship coordinators who sensed my frustration over the phone when they informed me that I was rejected. Basically, they were punishing my parents for moving to the suburbs. At first I was upset that I kept being denied scholarships, but then I sucked it up took out loans, worked full time, and took classes at night or during my lunch hour (my boss was really cool and let me take an 1:30 lunch twice a week) to put myself through college and law school without my parents having to pay a dime. Life sucks. Stop crying about it.
Report Post »rlmeals
Posted on January 17, 2011 at 6:54pm@DanielJersey:
I’m sorry you had to go through that. But you don’t have to be snarky about it. Is the inequality in the handing out of scholarships any less ridiculous because you’re story is worse than mine? No, it’s not. We both endured a tough life’s-not-fair lesson. I don‘t see the need for you’re rudeness.
My parents both worked and were in debt up to their eyeballs caring for 2 of my widowed grandmothers while the other siblings (one which was very wealthy with no children) refused to help out. But of course, the loan program goes by gross income, not net, so we really couldn’t afford college even though my parents made a decent salary. I took out student loans and worked though school to pay for housing and food. I made good grades for the most part through all of it.
All I was trying to illustrate was an inequality in scholarships for academic students. I’m never seen a “whites only” scholarship, but I’ve seen plenty of black, hispanic, and native american only scholarships. I don’t think there is anything necessarily wrong with a specific group wanting to give out a scholarship to a member of their community (ie: NAACP giving scholarship to black students), but I bemoan the fast that it is deemed inherently “racist” to offer a similar scholarship to white student. It’s the same concept as having a Miss America contest that is required to let in all races or be shut down for discrimination, yet allowing an African American Miss America that is allowed to exclude other races. I think what happened during the Civil War and up through the 1960′s was horrible, but if we are to “transcend race” as our president is so fond of saying, then these rules need to apply to all. Let’s quit this affirmative action crap.
Report Post »LadybugsTX
Posted on January 18, 2011 at 12:31amDelusional much? Perhaps you should be angry at all those high priced union professors that caused your tuition hike while teaching you to be such a douchebag. The college could care less how you pay. The only person you inconvenienced was yourself, collecting all those one dollar bills and that poor girl who’s probably working herself through school at a job with the college part-time. She probably doesn’t have wealthy parents to fork over the entire 14K for her, but she’s got to count all that. What an ass.
Has anybody else noticed that all these “disaffected” cry baby college kids come from wealthy parents?
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