Tuition is rising yet again, and although financial aid has risen as well, TCU must ensure the changes don’t adversely affect the diversity of the TCU campus.Administrators said the 8.4 percent increase is due to faculty and staff expenses and rising insurance, health care and utility costs. To not increase the tuition would compromise some of the services the university offers, they say.

There’s also an 18 percent rise in the financial aid available, although not 18 percent will be spent going toward each award, administrators said.

Though the increase in financial aid is a relief, it is miniscule compared to the potential impact it could have on students and in turn, the university, if it is not applied correctly.

TCU among many other four-year universities, has always emphasized diversity. This year, the university accepted 148 international students, compared to the 95 last year.

But diversity is not just about diverse geographical origins. It doesn’t end with race or gender. Diversity means different experiences in all aspects, and sometimes, those experiences come from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

The digits following the dollar sign on a TCU diploma’s price tag can potentially cast out a significant number of qualified applicants from lower income backgrounds, potentially hurting the diversity of the student body.

Sure, the truly qualified students will be helped through academic scholarships, but tuition is expected to continue rising.

The university should take advantage of this 18 percent increase in financial aid funds and aim to recruit students from lower social classes.

Administrators may never know what kind and variety of quality students the university will be missing out on.

Features editor Saerom Yoo for the editorial board.