It’s official- students will face an increase in tuition starting in the fall.
Florida A & M University’s Board of Trustees voted Monday to increase tuition by 15 percent and increase and add new student fees.
“I think it’s important tuition is in line with the national average however I do feel raising tuition will be a burden on students,” said Theresa Hardee, chief financial officer.
Depending on what legislators agree on, at the end of the week students could see an increase of nearly 8 percent in base tuition, which is currently $82.03. Plus, an additional increase by as much as 10 percent, which comes from an extra tuition cost known as differential tuition.
“[Raising tuition] is a difficult decision to make,” Hardee said.
The board approved fee increases that affect nine student fees which include application, transcript, technology, duplicate diploma, technology, athletic, music material and nursing material.
“The majority of fees will not effect currently enrolled students,” said Roland Gaines, vice president of student affairs. “These fees mainly effect students who are currently applying.”
The board voted to increase the application fee to $30 and transcript fee to $10. There will also be a charge to new music students for $25 and new nursing students for $409 for material and supplies.
“Students might have difficulty paying $409 with other increases,” said Gallop Franklin, board member and president of the student body. “I have the fear that a lot of students might not be able to afford to stay in college.”
In addition officials said FAMU has the lowest athletic fee charge in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
“The athletic fee will increase $1.23 per credit hour,” Hardee said.
The fee increase will lead to $370,000 in annual revenues for the athletic department, which is operating with a deficit of $5.7 million, Hardee said.
In addition to the athletic fee, there will also be a new technology fee. In-state undergraduates will pay an extra $4.10 per credit hour, in-state graduate students will pay $9.55 per credit hour and law school students will pay $10.86 per credit hour.
“We’re certainly excited that the board approved this technology fee because technology is critical as it relates to the learning outcome of students,” said Robert Seniors, chief information officer. “I think the increase will have a positive impact because we will be able to make sure the students stay current.”