Regents hike tuition rates

By The Associated Press

TOPEKA -- The Board of Regents approved tuition increases Thursday for the 2009-10 academic year, including a hike of 7.5 percent for undergraduate and graduate students at Fort Hays State University.

The increases range from 3.9 percent to 8.5 percent for in-state undergraduate residents and from 3.9 percent to 7.5 percent for out-of-state undergraduate residents. Tuition will increase for graduate students by 3.9 percent to 7.5 percent.

The board also approved increases in course fees and restricted-use fees, such as those for recreation centers or student unions, which are paid by students as part of enrollment.

The increases were the regents' response to a 10 percent reduction in state spending on the six state university campuses, enacted during the 2009 legislative session that ended in May. The board's discussion Thursday focused on the weak economy and further budget reductions.

"This is a special time that we haven't seen in our lifetimes, unless you're in your 80s or 90s," said regent Dan Lykins, who read a litany of cuts in university staff and programs.

Regents also approved allowing the campuses to use one-third of their federal stimulus dollars to mitigate tuition increases by supplanting the loss in state dollars or increasing student financial aid. The other two-thirds will be used to address deferred maintenance projects.  

Fort Hays State University tuition increases

Resident undergraduate (based on a full-time schedule of 15 credit hours):

FY 2009 approved tuition -- $1,370.25

FY 2010 proposed tuition -- $1,473

Proposed increase -- $102.75, 7.5 percent

Non-resident undergraduate:

FY 2009 approved tuition -- $5,162.25

FY 2010 proposed tuition -- $5,549.25

Proposed increase -- $387, 7.5 percent

Resident graduate (based on a full-time schedule of 12 credit hours):

FY 2009 approved tuition -- $1,638

FY 2010 proposed tuition -- $1,761

Proposed increase -- $123, 7.5 percent

Non resident graduate:

FY 2009 approved tuition -- $4,854

FY 2010 proposed tuition -- $5,218.20

Proposed increase -- $364.20, 7.5 percent