At its meeting Saturday, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents will consider a 5 percent tuition increase for the 2005-2006 school year.
At UNMC, next year’s undergraduate resident proposed tuition is $151 per credit hour for residents of Nebraska, while undergraduate non-resident tuition would be $448. The proposed graduate rates would be $199.50 for residents and $537 for non-residents. Tuition rates for medicine, dentistry and pharmacy are charged on a semester basis.
NU President James B. Milliken said students requiring financial assistance may be able to take advantage of the university’s new Tuition Assistance Program, which guarantees that any resident student who is financially eligible for a Pell Grant and who maintains certain academic standards will have his or her tuition covered for up to 30 credit hours per year. In addition, the State of Nebraska will make an additional $1.7 million in need-based aid available through the State Scholarship Program next year.
“The improvement in Nebraska’s economic and fiscal condition, along with the commitment of the legislature and the governor to higher education, paved the way for stronger state support of the university, which benefits our students,” Milliken said.
Despite the increase in state appropriations and the revenue generated by a tuition increase, the university continues to face a financial shortfall in the next fiscal year.
Decreases in enrollment, large graduating classes, increases in health insurance and utilities costs, and strategic investments in programs of excellence all impact the budget. Costs for health insurance alone will increase by $5.4 million in the next year.