afford tuition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "afford tuition" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the ability to pay for educational expenses, particularly in the context of college or university fees. Example: "Many students struggle to afford tuition without financial aid or scholarships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Unable to afford tuition, he enlisted and wasn't in town.

The New York Times - Magazine

But Mr. Sealey still could not afford tuition at Duke.

The New York Times

She could not afford tuition for classes in medical billing and coding.

The New York Times

As she waits to hear back from colleges, she worries about how she will afford tuition.

The New York Times

"I might have to take a quarter off to make money to afford tuition," she said.

The New York Times

Online degrees also provide a viable option for students who are unable to afford tuition fees.

The Guardian

The school plans to offer scholarships for families who cannot afford tuition, Ms. Friedman said.

The New York Times

Thousands of students have been forced to take leave because they can no longer afford tuition.

The New York Times

Devin Jackson's dream of a scholarship doesn't materialize, leaving him to consider enlisting in the military because his family can't afford tuition.

The New York Times

To him, the strangest is that the bulk of law schools skimp on aid to students who can least afford tuition.

The New York Times

Mario knew a little about revising life expectations, having taken this job when he could no longer afford tuition at the University of Texas.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial aid or scholarships, use "afford tuition" to emphasize the impact of such assistance on students' ability to attend school. For example: "Scholarships help many students to "afford tuition" who otherwise couldn't."

Common error

Don't limit "afford tuition" to just having the money. It also encompasses the overall financial planning and sacrifices needed to meet tuition costs. Instead of saying "They can technically "afford tuition", " but choose not to," consider "They have the funds for tuition, but prioritize other expenses."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "afford tuition" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "afford" is the verb indicating the ability to meet the financial demands of tuition, and "tuition" is the direct object representing the cost of education. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "afford tuition" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the ability to pay for educational costs, as supported by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to express financial capability related to education, appearing most frequently in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific discussions. Ludwig examples highlight the challenges individuals and families face in meeting tuition expenses. While alternatives like "pay for tuition" or "cover tuition expenses" exist, "afford tuition" effectively conveys the broad concept of financial accessibility to education. Using this phrase correctly involves understanding not just the availability of funds, but also the overall financial planning required. Overall it is a good choice for discussing issues related to higher education affordability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be able to pay tuition

Explicitly states the ability to pay, similar to the original phrase.

pay for tuition

Replaces "afford" with the more direct verb "pay", emphasizing the act of payment.

cover tuition expenses

Emphasizes covering the full range of costs associated with tuition.

fund one's tuition

Focuses on the action of providing the necessary money for tuition.

manage tuition costs

Focuses on the management of expenses rather than simply having the money.

handle tuition payments

Highlights the handling and processing of tuition payments.

finance educational fees

A more formal way of expressing the funding of tuition.

budget for tuition

Highlights the planning and allocation of funds specifically for tuition.

meet tuition obligations

Focuses on the responsibility of fulfilling tuition requirements.

bear the cost of tuition

A more emphatic way of saying to assume responsibility for paying tuition.

FAQs

How can I use "afford tuition" in a sentence?

You can use "afford tuition" when discussing the ability to pay for educational expenses. For example: "Many families struggle to "afford tuition" without financial aid."

What does it mean to "afford tuition"?

"Afford tuition" means having sufficient financial resources to pay the costs associated with education, including tuition fees, books, and other related expenses.

What are some alternatives to saying "afford tuition"?

Alternatives include "pay for tuition", "manage tuition costs", or "cover tuition expenses", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "afford tuition" or "pay tuition"?

Both "afford tuition" and "pay tuition" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Afford tuition" implies having the financial means, while "pay tuition" focuses on the act of payment.