Final answer:
The terms tuition and fees refer to the costs of attending college, which have risen substantially, imposing a significant financial burden on students but remain valuable considering the benefits of a college education. Funding programs exist to help with these costs, but students must also consider the opportunity costs of attending college.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the expenses associated with pursuing higher education, specifically the terms tuition and fees. Though these costs have seen significant increases over the past decade, leading to a heavier financial burden on students, many argue that the value of a college education is worth the cost.
This is a multifaceted issue as state-funded community college programs, such as those that pay for part or all of the tuition of a two-year college student, try to alleviate some of this financial stress. Additionally, college students face not only direct out-of-pocket expenses but also opportunity costs, such as lost earnings from the inability to work during class and study time, which are substantial considerations in the overall cost of attending college.