UVa Board of Visitors approves sizable tuition increase amid transparency concerns

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Board of Visitors approves sizable tuition increase amid transparency concerns

Class of 2019 to face 13.4 percent increase from Class of 2014

by Kayla Eanes | Mar 25 2015 | 9 hours ago

The Board of Visitors approved a 3.9 percent tuition increase for all students Tuesday, with additional tuition fees for students incoming in the fall of 2015 and the fall of 2016. Board members such as Helen Dragas questioned the Board’s transparency in moving forward with the plan.

Proposed by Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee John Griffin, the Affordable Excellence proposal is part of a new “high tuition, high aid” financial model. ... The new model reduces student indebtedness for both low- and middle-income in state students and increases grant aid, according to a press release from the University Office of Communications.

The University will institute an increase of $1,000 in base tuition for in-state students entering the University for Fall 2015, and an additional increase of $1,000 for in-state students enrolling Fall 2016, resulting in a total step increase of $2,000. ... Currently enrolled in-state students are exempt from the step increases. The revenue from the tuition increases will be used to fund tuition grants, making the plan effectively revenue neutral.

Including the 3.9 percent tuition increase, Board Member Helen Dragas said the incoming Class of 2019 will face a 13.4 percent increase in tuition from Fall 2014.