Thursday, July 07, 2005
Fees approved for next two years
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University of Southern Indiana trustees set tuition and fees for the next two years at today’s Board of Trustees meeting. Beginning this fall, a full-time, in-state, student at USI will pay $4,303 for the 2005-2006 academic year, an increase of $226 for the year. This is based on a student enrolling for 15 hours in the fall and 15 hours in the spring. The credit-hour cost is $141.45, and the University Services fee is $30 per semester for students taking eight or more credit hours. The following year, Indiana resident students will pay $148.65 per credit hour. A full-time student will pay $4,518 for the academic year. The per-hour fee for graduate students is $205.40 for Indiana residents for 2005-06 and $215.85 for Indiana residents for 2006-07. President H. Ray Hoops told the board that the increases were necessary for USI to maintain the quality of its academic programs and retain talented faculty and staff. “USI’s fees remain the lowest of the public residential universities, which is our commitment to keeping college affordable for students and their families” he said. He encouraged students to persist in reaching their goals of graduating from college. James Patton, USI director of Student Financial Assistance, tells prospective students that USI has professional counselors who help families focus on financial opportunities and strategies to achieve their goals. He encourages students and parents to discuss options from grants and scholarships to loans. He added that some students opt for work-study, allowing the student to gain work experience and offset college costs. “We try to help families negotiate the complex world of paying for college,” he said. Jessica Easterly, a junior from Evansville, knows about seeking financial assistance. She has used a Stafford Loan, earned scholarships, and is a work-study student. She has worked in the Office of International Programs and Services on campus and through USI worked for the Salvation Army day camp and the Boy Scouts of America. She is currently working in the Student Financial Assistance Office on campus. She encourages students to be persistent and ask questions. She said, “At first, the process seems very complex. But counselors will help you understand the details. The counselors helped me with more than just deadlines. They helped me understand the process." Last year she learned of the award for a child of a disabled veteran. It pays tuition and any mandatory fees up to 124 credit hours. Easterly has also earned a departmental scholarship and two scholarships not related to USI. An English major who enjoys creative writing, she hopes to earn a doctorate and teach English Composition at the university level. In other business the board approved the 2005-2006 current operating budget of $70 million. The budget includes $41.2 million for instruction and instruction-related expenses; $5 million for student services; $9.6 million for physical plant; and $13.5 million for administration. Of the $70 million, 53 percent is from state appropriation. The remainder of the budget is comprised of student fees and other income. |
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