By Susannah Waite, Editor-in-Chief
University officials recently announced a proposed tuition increase for the 2013-14 academic year.
Returning students will likely see a 1 percent tuition increase, while the incoming fall freshman class would have a 5 percent tuition increase.
The 5 percent tuition increase would be locked in for the four years that students attend the university.
“Tuition fee rates are made through discussions with a university budget committee,” said Donna Nance, chief financial officer.
The committee focuses on revenue assumption and then looks at major factors in tuition rates, as well as enrollment projections.
“The committee recommended this increase to the president, then it will be presented to the board of trustees for their approval in April,” Nance said.
The tuition increase will be official if trustees approve it.
University officials said the 5 percent increase with the locked-in rate for incoming freshman would benefit the university.
“It will have a positive impact on recruiting,” Nance said. “Here is a price that doesn’t change.”
There will be no increase on university fees or room and board for the upcoming academic year. The increase in tuition could lead to an increase in financial aid.
“With financial aid, anytime you increase tuition, the amount of aid increases, because the total cost of attendance increases,” said Kevin Windholz, vice president for enrollment management.
Windholz said the budget committee took a conservative approach to the tuition increase.
“The whole thing is a balance,” said Rick Hall, vice president for student affairs. “We are trying to give the very best experience as possible, and do that as cheap as we can.”
Leave a Reply