Florida university students are likely to have to pay more to cover the cost of their education as the university system’s governing body meets this week to determine policies that could yield a host of student fee hikes.
Universities across the state will face rising budget pressure in the coming year as the state faces a $2.5 billion budget shortfall and the end of federal stimulus money that helped shore up finances for Florida’s 11 public institutions. The universities have enacted 15 percent tuition increases, which has generated classroom dollars and brought Florida schools closer to the national tuition average.
But there are still plenty of budget holes. And students may be the ones asked to fill them.
“I hope there will be some restraint from all of the institutions,” said Board of Governors member Norman Tripp in an interview with the News Service of Florida. “If you look at the list of fees, it’s just enormous.”
The Legislature gave the board the power to approve new fees for students or increase the caps on already existing charges during the 2010 spring legislative session. Some universities wanted to immediately implement fee hikes for the start of the 2010 school year, but the board held off on developing rules and policies for the new levies. That discussion will be a large part of the board’s meeting at University of North Florida on Wednesday and Thursday.
Already, students typically pay a host of fees depending on their institution. They usually cover activities, health care, transportation and technology, among other things.
They have also faced major increases in tuition in the past two years.
In 2009, the Legislature approved a measure allowing universities to raise tuition 15 percent per year until they are at the national average. According to the College Board, the cost of an average four year public university is more than $7,000. Florida in-state students pay anywhere from $4,469.70 to $5,237.80 in tuition.
Florida State President Eric Barron said that families should not worry about doors to higher education closing because of rising costs though. The university released findings Tuesday which indicate that during the 2009-2010 academic year, most students pay little out-of-pocket for their education.
According to the university research, about 61 percent of in-state undergraduates owe some money for tuition and fees, not including living expenses or room and board. Of that 61 percent, about half pay $750 or less per term to attend Florida State because of a combination of federal aid, Florida’s Bright Futures program and university scholarships.
Additionally, 39 percent of in-state undergraduate students receive some money back from the university to pay for room, board and books.
“People look at us and say ‘wait, you’re going to get too expensive,'” Barron said. “We’re not too expensive.”
The Board of Governors meets from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at University of North Florida in Jacksonville and from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Thursday.
By Kathleen Haughney
The News Service of Florida
