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In order to graduate with as little debt as possible, third-year law student Colin Bailey works for a legal clinic while going to school, and may take another job to help pay for his educational expenses.

University of California fee increases in recent years have forced some students in professional schools to reconsider their career choices or take on part-time jobs, as well as apply for hefty loans, in order to continue their education.

Bailey said he chose to enroll in the public interest program at the UCLA School of Law because a state-subsidized school seemed like a cheaper alternative to costly private schools at the time of his enrollment.

Bailey, who had decided to pursue a career in the relatively low-paying public service field, said it was important to him to choose a school that would allow him to get his education without incurring a large amount of debt.

UCLA seemed like the best choice for Bailey, but with the state’s budget troubles and the fee increases that followed his enrollment, Bailey has had a very stressful task trying to balance his studies with his job.

The financial problems that arose for students prompted seven professional school students to file a class action lawsuit against the UC Board of Regents in 2003.

Recently, a preliminary injunction was issued which prevents the UC from implementing its 2004-2005 fee increases for students who were enrolled in UC professional schools in 2002.

In the lawsuit, students claimed that the UC breached its contract by raising fees after promising students before they enrolled in their various programs that the cost for a professional degree would stay the same for the full time of their enrollment.

Hanan Eisenman, a spokesperson for the UC Office of the President, said the same publications which the students claim to have the guarantee also have disclaimers which state that fees are subject to change without notice.

Eisenman added that fees were raised because of the state financial problems and only after the UC made as many budget cuts as possible.

He also said the UC tried to notify students about the fee increases in advance so they could have time to prepare.

Some students, like Bailey, said they would have chosen to attend a different school if they had known fees would increase so much during their time in professional school.

John Alden, a third-year law student and one of the plaintiffs in the case against the UC, said one of the biggest reasons he chose to be involved in the lawsuit is how the fee increases are affecting his plans for the future.

Alden had intended to take a low-paying clerkship with a court after graduation, but had to give up those plans in favor of higher-paying jobs that would help him pay off his loans.

With the recent court ruling, many students are pleased they will not have to take out more loans to pay for further fee increases. Many students who were forced to adjust their lifestyles to help pay for tuition are also glad.

“The fee increase would have been huge. I now have that money to buy books and food. Half of that is my food budget for a year easily,” Alden said.

But despite the temporary relief students are getting from the court, most students are still cautious about their financial situation.

Students from professional schools must still pay for fee increases made in previous years and, because the injunction is preliminary, students will be forced to pay the UC back if they ultimately lose the case.

“The only change in my behavior is holding off on applying for more loans. If it sticks and becomes permanent, then that helps quite a lot,” Bailey said.

Alden said he will definitely work for a firm unless he can get a full refund on all fee increases since his enrollment.

“Hopefully, if we get the money back, I can work a clerkship for a year. I already missed all the deadlines to apply, and it would be nice to work right out of school,” Alden said.