FRESNO (KMJ) — The price of attending everyone University of California campuses is going up, but UC Merced officials say the vast majority of their students will not feel its impact.
“87% of our graduate students qualified for need based financial aid, so they will not have to pay for the increase. Basically their financial aid package will cover this increase,” explains UC Merced’s Brenda Ortiz.
Tuition will rise to $282, and fees by $54. It comes after a decision made Thursday afternoon by the Board of Regents, to approve the increase. The $336 overall jump means the annual bill for someone attending one of the campuses will go from $12,294 per year to $12,630 per year.
For those who do not qualify for assistance, Ortiz says there are other avenues available.
“Through scholarships, we are definitely always trying to increase our scholarships, our scholarship endowments, to help students pay for not only tuition but also living expenses and books.”
The extra revenue is expected to improve the overall learning experience.
“Used for things that directly benefit the students,” explains UC spokesperson Ricardo Vazquez.
“Such as hiring more faculty NTAs, improving academic counseling, tutoring and mental health services, improving support for graduate students and lowering student to faculty ratios, improving aging classrooms.”
Those against the increased tuition costs, say the higher price of tuition puts a burden on students already struggling to make ends meet.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
