Co-op program fee raise angers students

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - One student told News 18 the fee is double the next highest co-op program in country.

While tuition will not be going up in the next two years, a fee that affects students trying to gain work experience is going up.

The Professional Practice Program at Purdue that offers students professional experience in several programs is raising its fee. The fee is paid by students several times a year based on the degree they are pursuing.

Chemical Engineering student Candace Corso said four years ago, the fee was $812 that was paid four to five times a year. Now, Corso said the fee is $918 and more than double the next highest co-op program in the country.
    
Corso said some students need a program like this to find a job after graduation.

"Some companies will not hire students unless they did a co-op," she said. "You get almost two years of professional work experience.  The program is not just in engineering, we're in technology, we're in science, we're in management and we're expanding to nursing and pharmacy.

She adds the fee has deterred some freshmen from entering the program.

"Considered one of the top co-op programs in the country is Georgia Tech. Their co-op fee is $0 and they're getting a credit hour while they're working, we do not get any sort of credit hour. The next highest fee compared to us is just over $400," she said.

Officials with the Professional Practice Program did not want to appear on camera, but did told News 18 they are working closely with students and the provost's office to find a solution.