Dwayne Harmon Explores Tuition Costs and The Need of Scholarships

As we increasingly hear the news that we are heading into another recession, it is clear from many indicators in our country that a lot of people never really recovered from the last one. For example, there is a homelessness epidemic throughout the country because the costs of housing outstrip an average worker’s ability to pay. Also, many believe that they will never emerge from student loans and/or credit card debt.

Yet, many occupations still require a bachelor’s, if not master’s degree, as an entry-level requirement. For this reason, it is even more important that students be able to receive scholarships to fund their education.

In order to find out more about the need for scholarships in 2019, we spoke to Dwayne Harmon, a marketing specialist who lives right here in Florida. Harmon helps companies be successful in online marketing, using technology as well as process evaluation and management.

Dwayne Harmon has created a college scholarship fund to help more students reach for their dreams with a college education.

Much Higher Cost of College Today -

U.S. News and World Report found that the average cost for private, national universities has gone up 154 percent in the past 20 years. They found parents began a trend to keep their child’s education in-state at public universities, but in-state, public higher education fees have gone up 221 percent. Out-of-state university tuition and fees went up 184 percent in the same period.

In fact, according to First Coast News, the tuition for Florida state public universities increased 50 percent during the 10 years between 2007 and 2017.

This creates a scenario in which many students get priced out of a higher education.

Few Tuition-for-All Situations -

Some states, eleven in total, have begun programs that pay for a student’s tuition through their first two years of college.

Sadly, although Florida has legislation working its way through the state legislatures, there is no such program currently in place.

There is also the issue of middle-class students. Although there are more need-based scholarships available, sometimes the students from middle class homes, who also cannot afford the high cost of tuition, do not qualify for scholarships because it is deemed their parents make too much money.

Students Sacrifice Their Future When They Take on Student Loans -

With the higher cost of education comes higher student loan debt carried by those who graduate and did not receive scholarships and grants to cover the costs.

According to Forbes Magazine, 2.2 million borrowers in Florida alone carry $72 billion dollars in student loan debt. The average amount of student debt from students nationally who graduated college in 2017 was $28,000.

The problem with all this debt when it comes due is that it forces many students to put off important life events, such as marrying and having children. Also, crippling student loan debt keeps people from being able to afford homes or other suitable living accommodations, especially in this time of rising housing costs in many parts of the country.

More Professions Today Require Degrees -

It was not that long ago that someone could become a secretary or administrative assistant with simply a high school diploma and possibly take some business and office software courses in college. Today, more administrative personnel are required to have a bachelor’s degree in the industry.

Also, many professions, such as psychology and medical administration, require a master’s degree for entry into the field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be more demand for workers that have degrees as opposed to those who only have a high school diploma in the foreseeable future.

Not Everyone is Suited for Coding Camps -

There has been a rallying cry across the country that anyone who wants to receive a great salary simply needs to attend a coding camp and become a programmer, with no college required. For some, this may be true. The reality, though according to Dwayne Harmon, is that there are few that have the mindset required to be a successful programmer.

Programmers have highly analytical minds that can break problems down into their most discrete steps. They have almost an anal-retentive ability to sit in front of their monitors, carefully debugging code where they made a mistake.

Since there is so much change in the field, explains Dwayne Harmon, programmers must adapt and learn new types of coding frequently to stay relevant in the field, so they need to have the ability and desire to always be learning the next new programming language. For these reasons, coding camps are not the answer for every high school student who needs to think about their future career options.

Not All Scholarships and Grants Cover Books and Fees -

Not all scholarships cover books and fees. Students from low-income homes are left out when they may have a scholarship for tuition, but they cannot buy the books. In fact, the Promise Scholarships often do not cover books or fees.

Although there are options today that help students reduce their book costs, such as book rentals and e-texts, the costs of books and fees like parking can be considerable. For this reason, it is best if scholarships designed by private individuals cover all college costs.

In the wake of higher costs of tuition, the failing economy and the increased need for people to have a college education in order to thrive, Dwayne Harmon created a scholarship to help students in Pensacola to achieve their dreams. He urges other like-minded, successful entrepreneurs to follow suit and help our newest generation succeed.