In a year when interest rates are low and tuition rates are high, more students are taking out loans than usual.

John Nametz, director of student financial aid, said the amount of students relying on student loans has increased by 11.6 percent since last year.

Nametz said that in the past few years, unlike the national trend, the UA has not seen an increase in the number of college students relying on financial aid.

But this year that has changed.

"This is the biggest single year increase in the 15 years I've been here," said Nametz, who said that this year's tuition raise at the UA is one of several possible factors behind the increase.

Nametz said a weakened U.S. economy as well as low interest rates could be the reasons why more students rely on loans this year; but until research is conducted on this year's statistics, it will be hard to determine the reasons behind the increase.

"At this point, I honestly don't know why we're seeing an increase in students doing consolidations and loan taking," Nametz said.

Whether or not the increase can be attributed to unsubsidized or subsidized loans is also difficult to determine at this point, he said.

Unsubsidized loans require students to pay off loans while they are in school. With

subsidized loans, the government pays interest while the student is in school, allowing students to pay off the remainder of the loan after graduating.

Raquel Litin, a creative writing senior, said she took out student loans because of the record-setting $1,000 tuition hike. She uses the money to pay for classes and living expenses.

Though Litin works, she said she will need to depend on multiple student loans to help her get through the rest of school.

"I'll definitely have to take out more loans in the future to help pay for other expenses," she said.

William Booth, an undeclared freshman from Omaha, Neb., said he relies on loans to help him pay out of state tuition.

"It's hard to go to school here when you're from out of state. They charge you an arm and a leg," he said.

Students, Nametz said, often apply for student loans throughout the semester, which will keep the number of processed student loans on the rise for the rest of the semester.

Although paying back student loans can often be a lengthy process for many students, Nametz said he believes that financial aid continues to be an important and positive necessity.

"I would encourage all students to apply for aid," Nametz said.