UVa Considers 10 Percent Tuition Hike

Updated: 7:22 PM Apr 26, 2010

The University of Virginia's Board of Visitors will consider an increase in tuition this week, which means in-state students could face a 10 percent increase in their college costs, while out-of-state students could see a 6 percent hike.

Posted: 12:05 PM Apr 26, 2010
Reporter: Cheryn Stone
Email Address: cheryn.stone@newsplex.com

width:288 and height: 216 and picwidth: 213 and pciheight: 159

Font Size:

April 26, 2010

Students may have to pay more money to attend the University of Virginia next year.

The Board of Visitors will consider another increase in tuition this week which could mean a 10 percent increase in price for some students. This is in addition to the tuition hike they're paying for the current year.

In the spring, the Board of Visitors sets tuition and fees for the following year. The university proposes 2010-2011 tuition and fees for in-state undergraduates of $10,628, or $956 more.

For out-of-state undergraduates, the university proposes 2010-2011 tuition and fees of $33,574, an increase of 6 percent, or $1,902.

"It's not all that much money," said Colette Sheehy, UVa.'s vice president of management and budget. "When you look at the dollars, it's $956. The out-of-state students are quite a bit more, even though their percentage increase is only 6 percent."

Out-of-state student Michael O'Brien said he'll have to rely on his parents' help to cover the cost.

"It would definitely be, especially during this time, a bad decision," O'Brien said. "Education is a really important thing. A lot of people are already having trouble paying for so many things in their lives. Ten percent, especially out of state for me, would be a pretty significant increase."

There are also proposed increases that would affect graduate, commerce and Darden School of Business students, among others.

Officials say the increased tuition will cover increasing costs. UVa. expects millions in federal stimulus funding, but that's a one-time boost. The university is also bracing for millions in reductions from their general fund budget.

"Going forward, we know we have some stimulus money, and it is only that one-year money, and in 2011-2012, we're looking at not only losing that stimulus money but also at another $14.7 million general cut from the state," Sheehy said.

The university maintains AccessUVA, its financial aid program, will keep education affordable for students who can't pay. These tuition proposals include a $3 million contribution to that program.

On Friday, the board will also consider raising rates for some student housing.

Latest Comments

Posted by: The Dude Location: Greene County on Apr 26, 2010 at 10:09 PM

I have no problem with a tuition increase, but the burden should fall on out-of-state students. Compared to prices for college up North, UVa is a bargain. And let's not forget to cut some salaries as well, especially those programs that have no benefit to society, i.e., law, social work, and "arts."

Click here to post or read all 1 comments.

Live News	Weather Now	Desktop Alert
Mobile	iPhone App	Text Alerts
Facebook	Twitter	YouTube