Students should give a little now to gain a lot later on

Some students spend money on food, clothes and unnecessary gadgets without hesitation, but when AP season comes around, they are unwilling to shell out the money to pay for AP tests. Though AP tests are costly, students often fail to remember that the cost of these tests are not a superflous expense; they are an investment for their futures.

“I spend a lot of money on clothes and it is not fair for me to whine about how expensive the AP tests are if I am spending my money so carelessly,” junior Katie Cha said.

Students who cut down on frivolous items will have an easier time paying for testing fees. Furthermore, if a family meets the minimum budget requirement, they qualify for a fee waiver.

“The amount of financial aid given is based on the Expected Family Contribution, a calculation that takes into consideration family income and assets,” scholarship and financial aid adviser Teri Koyanagi said.

In addition, $93 now is a small price to pay for what are essentially four semester units at a public university, which costs an average of $8,244 a year, according to CNN.

With the cost of a college tuition rising dramatically in recent years, this figure will only enlarge.

Rather than complaining about the seemingly high price of an AP test, students need to understand the long-term benefits that these tests provide: benefits that are exponentially more valuable than the new pair of shoes in the store window.