Students are feeling the pressure of rising costs

FRESNO, Calif – All around the country, prices are rising and more people say they’re working two or more jobs to survive.

Fresno State students say they’re juggling an expensive economy, school, studying, working, care giving and making time for friends and family — it’s a lot.

While the economy might seem too abstract for students to tackle, they can make a difference on campus by voting in this year’s Associated Students, Inc. elections. 

ASI is Fresno State’s student body government. The next election for officers is April 1 and candidates said there’s a lot on the line

This election comes just one month after the university announced a proposed student fee increase for the 2025-2026 school year.

If passed, student would see a $495 increase in student fees on top of the existing $132 student fee.

The fee increase proposal says the fee increase would “generate approximately $11,385,000 annually, allowing [Fresno State] students to have an elevated and enhanced experience at Fresno State with a higher quality of services.”

Natalie Garcia is a junior at Fresno State and majoring in speech pathology. She works at a restaurant to put herself through school. Garcia either works before her classes at four in the morning or after her classes until the restaurant. She is paying her tuition with student loans, has a car payment and pays rent at her apartment.

“I have many years of school left ahead of me,” Garcia said. “As a 20 year old student who pays for everything myself, seeing these prices continuing to increase is very overwhelming.”

Even with the increase, Fresno State would rank third for lowest student fees in the California State University system. According to US News College Rankings, Fresno State’s sticker price is below the national average. The sticker price of a college includes tuition as well as student fees.

What services student fees cover depends on the university, but generally student fees cover things like the library, the rec center, technology resources and health centers.

While students are entitled and encouraged to take advantage of everything the university offers, some say it’s not enough. That concern is a main issue in this year’s ASI election.

Joseph Aquino is running for Senator of the College of Social Science. He said he is listening to everything students are saying about the fee increase.

“The whole increase of the student fees took many of us by surprise,” Aquino said.

Along with many of the other candidates, Aquino wants students to feel financially comfortable.

Aquino is a former trustee of the Fresno Unified School District and a current candidate for the Fresno Unified Board of Education.

“I’m going to bring in my expertise, and my track record on my advocacy, and my fight for fighting for students who struggle with finances and how these fees continue to be a burden,” Aquino said.

In the fee proposal, Fresno State argues the fee increase is crucial to improving campus services and growing the university.

ASI voting opens April 1. Students will receive an email to cast their votes.