Local students heading to Penn State or the University of Delaware in the fall are about to see some big changes in their tuition bills.
Both universities are raising their tuitions for the upcoming academic year in light of funding shortages and the increased costs of providing a college education.
At a July 7 meeting in DuBois, Pa., the Penn State trustees voted to officially approve tuition hikes for underclassmen at its main campus at University Park.
Freshmen and sophomore undergrads will be paying more, regardless of whether they are in-state or out-of-state students.
Graham Spanier, the university’s president, pointed out that, in the face of rising costs without any increased state funding, Penn State is doing its best to keep the education there affordable.
For Pa. residents, tuition costs will increase by $800 a year to $14,400, a 5.9-percent hike.
Out-of-staters attending Penn State are looking to pay about $26,00 per year. The new cost represents a 4.5-percent increase of around $1,100.
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Like Penn State, the University of Delaware is instituting a tuition hike as well for both in-state and out-of-state undergrads as of July 6.
Delawareans’ tuition will rise by $500 to $9,040 yearly.
Students from out-of-state will be paying $24,240, which represents a $2,000 increase.
Patick Harker, the university’s president, remarked, “The increase in tuition and fees is directly related to our goal of providing an exceptional educational experience, improving student services and increasing need-based financial aid.”
The tuition hikes were necessary because of lowered state and endowment funds and increases in utility rates.
UD officials also made it clear that financial aid for students in need is extremely important. 25-percent of the university’s tuition revenue for the 2010-2011 school year will be set aside specifically for financial aid.
The university has also raised several other charges affiliated with tuition.
For example, proving that there truly is no such thing as a free lunch, UD is increasing the cost of its meal plan by $212.
