Some students at the Downtown Phoenix campus aren't happy with the new tuition increase proposal from Arizona State University for the 2019-2020 school year.
ASU President Michael Crow sent an email to all students about the tuition proposal on March 22. Crow said in the proposal letter that there would be an increase in base tuition for all students and a new fee model to pay for college.
Out-of-state tuition will see a 4 percent increase in tuition and fee costs. Most non-resident students currently pay a little over $28,000 in tuition, on average, according to data on ASU's website. Next year, all out-of-state students will be charged base tuition of $28,800, according to the proposal letter.
"With an increase in tuition, it will be harder for me to afford college as out-of-state students already pay a lot for college," said ASU freshman Olivia Carpenter.
The new fee model starts with a base fee then divides all of ASU's college fees into categories based on the student's major. The fees can range from $0 to $1050 per semester.
ASU believes its new fee model can help simplify the costs of school, according to the proposal letter. Nevertheless, some students are not happy about the new fee model and tuition increase.
Students are already having trouble paying for college and have to take out a lot of loans in order to afford college. With the tuition increase, it will be harder for students to attend ASU and get the best experience at the university without having to think about money.
"I think that the new fee system is less transparent because you don't know where your money is going exactly," said William Weinstein, an out-of-state student at ASU majoring in journalism.
The revenue will go towards instruction, academic support, and student services, according to the proposal letter.
Crow also stated in the proposal letter that the money will go toward programs such as financial aid, counselors, and additions to the existing programs. "Examples are career services, more faculty, and better research opportunities for students," ASU spokesperson Bret Hovell said.
In 2012, Crow made a promise that the tuition of in-state students will not increase by more than 3 percent per year. Next year, the total charges of students from Arizona could increase by almost three percent, according to the proposal letter.
ASU will be extending the less than 3 percent tuition increase commitment for 10 more years. If in-state students see an increase above three percent, Michael Crow stated that the university will provide financial aid to help students out, according to the proposal letter.
"No tuition and fee increase will ever go over 3 percent for in-state students," ASU spokesperson Bret Hovell said.
The proposal is pursuing an average of 2.8 percent tuition and fees increase for undergraduate students who are from Arizona and a 4.8 percent increase for out-of-state students.
Many out-of-state students are already struggling with paying for college. They believe that this increase will make it harder for them to afford college.
"This new fee model will make me have to take out more student loans and I will have more student debt because of this tuition increase," said ASU freshman Isabelle Reed, a California native.
Some out-of-state students will now be paying over $31,000 for college in total charges, depending on which school they attend.
"I believe that the tuition increase proposal is not necessary and the university is only doing it for more money in their pockets," said ASU freshman Max Micucci from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
ASU leaders believe it is necessary to have an increase in tuition for the 2019-2020 academic school year because they will be able to have better funding for programs at the university, according to a university spokesperson. The proposal outlined how all money gained from this tuition increase will benefit students as they are putting the money towards school-related programs and resources.
"Due to inflation and lack of state funding, it is completely necessary for public universities in the state of Arizona to have a tuition increase," said ASU spokesperson Bret Hovell.
ASU is not an outlier when it comes to increasing their tuition. Colleges from all over the United States are doing the same thing, according to Bret Hovell.
The Arizona Board of Regents approved of the increase in tuition at all public universities in the state of Arizona for the next academic year, according to a recent news release by the Arizona Board of Regents. The board agreed on the proposal for the new fee model and tuition increase for the 2019-2020 school year on April 11th at a meeting held by the University of Arizona.
