In its meeting today, the State Board of Regents approved tuition increases of 5 percent at six public colleges and universities in Utah, and a 6 percent increase at Utah Valley University and Salt Lake Community College.
According to the board’s press release, for many students, this will be the lowest tuition increase in a decade.
Tuition this year at Weber State University for full-time, Utah-resident undergraduate students was $3,961. With the 5 percent increase, tuition will be $198 more, totaling $4,159. This change is effective for the summer 2013 semester.
Other tuition increases:
University of Utah: from $6,201 to $6,511
Utah State University: from $5,201 to $5,273
Southern Utah University: from $4,960 to $5,208
Snow College: from $2,696 to $2,830
Dixie State College: from $3,468 to $3,642
Utah Valley University: from $4,122 to $4,368
Salt Lake Community College: from $2,759 to $2,924
“Regents are asked to consider a number of factors when setting tuition, including state funding, institutional need, and inflation,” said Dave Buhler, commissioner of higher education in the press release. “Higher education saw a budget increase this year and we are pleased that the legislature made support for higher education a priority. However, legislative funding did not cover all mandatory cost increases, and so some tuition increases are needed in order to fully fund personnel, student support, and in some cases, cover revenue shortfalls from temporary declines in enrollment.”
Board of Regents chair Bonnie Jean Beesley added that, although they appreciate the legislature’s investment in higher education, continued investment is necessary to progress toward meeting the state’s goal to have 66 percent of adults have some kind of higher education degree or certificate.
The regents also approved award amounts for both the New Century and Regents’ Scholarships for the 2013-14 academic year.
Recipients of the New Century Scholarship, which is awarded to qualified students who earn an associate’s degree while still in high school, will receive $1,100 a semester for up to four semesters.
The Regents’ Scholarship is awarded to qualified students who complete a core course of study and meet minimum GPA and ACT requirements. Recipients of the Base Award for 2013-14 will receive a one-time award of $1,000. Those qualifying for the Exemplary Award will receive $1,100 per semester for up to four semesters.
More information is available at www.higheredutah.org.
