2008 Woodie Awards
Tuition Increase in Store for UCM
Board of Governors Raise Credit Hour Price to Almost $200 for Undergraduate Residents.
Michelle Wood: Muleskinner
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: News
Another proposed increase for student tuition and general fees for the fiscal year 2009 was passed by the Board of Governors Wednesday.
The proposition stemmed from Gov. Matt Blunt's recommendation that UCM receive an increase in state appropriations of 4.2 percent, or $2,405,410, for the fiscal year 2009.
However, the House of Representatives reduced this amount by $96,955 to the current fiscal year level of $2,308,455.
This amount will not cover the increasing costs of the University, such as rising fuel and utility rates, equipment, supplies and employee salaries and benefits. As a result, changes to instructional and general fee rates are necessary.
During the 2009 fiscal year, tuition rates for an undergraduate resident will increase 4.24 percent, rising from $187.35 per credit hour to $195.30. Undergraduate non-resident rates will also be raised by the same percent, going from $374.70 per credit hour to $390.60.
Graduate rates will increase 4.3 percent; rising from $235.65 to $245.80 for residents and from $471.30 to $491.60 for non-residents.
Online classes will also be affected. Undergraduates will pay $235.10, up 4.1 percent from $225.85, and graduates will pay $280.00, up 4.9 percent from $266.85.
In total, based on 30 credit hours, tuition will rise $238.50 for undergraduate residents.
Tuition is not the only area where prices will increase. Students' general fees are rising, as well.
General fees will increase 2.62 percent from $604.00 to $619.80. These fees include, but are not limited to, athletic fees, facilities, student activity and technology fees. The new prices do not include the new student recreation center (construction) fee of $3.45 per credit hour.
The total institutional and student general fees come to a 4.09 percent overall increase in the amount of $254.30.
Even though tuition and fees are increasing, the amount could be worse.
The Missouri State Legislature passed the Higher Education Student Funding Act, which capped the amount of tuition and fee increases that can be applied by state public universities for Missouri resident undergraduate students. This cap is decided by taking the U.S. Department of Labor's Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is currently 0.041 percent, multiplied by the base tuition and fees, $6,224.50. This total equals $255.20, which is almost a dollar more than the University's increase for fiscal year 2009.
Combined, an additional budgeted revenue amount from tuition and general fees would equal $4,459,326.
Although the state legislature has not approved its final budget, the University needs to begin informing students of rate changes for the 2008-2009 academic year. Rates must be in place this July for fall semester enrollment.
The proposition stemmed from Gov. Matt Blunt's recommendation that UCM receive an increase in state appropriations of 4.2 percent, or $2,405,410, for the fiscal year 2009.
However, the House of Representatives reduced this amount by $96,955 to the current fiscal year level of $2,308,455.
This amount will not cover the increasing costs of the University, such as rising fuel and utility rates, equipment, supplies and employee salaries and benefits. As a result, changes to instructional and general fee rates are necessary.
During the 2009 fiscal year, tuition rates for an undergraduate resident will increase 4.24 percent, rising from $187.35 per credit hour to $195.30. Undergraduate non-resident rates will also be raised by the same percent, going from $374.70 per credit hour to $390.60.
Graduate rates will increase 4.3 percent; rising from $235.65 to $245.80 for residents and from $471.30 to $491.60 for non-residents.
Online classes will also be affected. Undergraduates will pay $235.10, up 4.1 percent from $225.85, and graduates will pay $280.00, up 4.9 percent from $266.85.
In total, based on 30 credit hours, tuition will rise $238.50 for undergraduate residents.
Tuition is not the only area where prices will increase. Students' general fees are rising, as well.
General fees will increase 2.62 percent from $604.00 to $619.80. These fees include, but are not limited to, athletic fees, facilities, student activity and technology fees. The new prices do not include the new student recreation center (construction) fee of $3.45 per credit hour.
The total institutional and student general fees come to a 4.09 percent overall increase in the amount of $254.30.
Even though tuition and fees are increasing, the amount could be worse.
The Missouri State Legislature passed the Higher Education Student Funding Act, which capped the amount of tuition and fee increases that can be applied by state public universities for Missouri resident undergraduate students. This cap is decided by taking the U.S. Department of Labor's Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is currently 0.041 percent, multiplied by the base tuition and fees, $6,224.50. This total equals $255.20, which is almost a dollar more than the University's increase for fiscal year 2009.
Combined, an additional budgeted revenue amount from tuition and general fees would equal $4,459,326.
Although the state legislature has not approved its final budget, the University needs to begin informing students of rate changes for the 2008-2009 academic year. Rates must be in place this July for fall semester enrollment.
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