But Molly, they can afford it if they get a loan. A lot of people, I grant you, will not want to burden themselves with a loan and that is their choice. But if something is worthwhile you will have to accept the bad along with the good. I have known students who run up literally thousands in debts because of their lifestyle, others have scraped by and lived wisely. Basically, unless these fees are charged the Universities will not survive as they are now and will have to reduce staff numbers and drop their standards.
Universities who are charging the higher rates are also being asked to give grants for the poor students anyway.
Will these fees make you any less keen to go to University Molly? In the long run if you go you will be the winner with a better chance of a good job and a good future. The loan will seem like chicken feed.