Board of Regents increases student fees yet again
Katy Crawford
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: News
Next semester, Georgia's college students will be hit with a larger tab than expected, thanks to the Board of Regents.
On Nov. 10, the board voted unanimously to double a "special" mandatory fee for college students in Georgia effective January 2010.
This is the second time students' out-of-pocket expenses have been raised in two years.
Upon informing students about this "special fee" most replied in disbelief. Junior, Brett Roach asked: "Wait, didn't our fees just go up?"
As the economy tanked last year, the Regents instituted a fee of up to $100 per semester depending on the size of the institution.
Now with the new "special" fee, students at research universities such as the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Kennesaw State, will be charged $200 each semester. Other four-year colleges, like North Georgia, will be charged $150 per semester, while students at two-year colleges will pay $100.
The fee will be charged each semester from January 2010 to June 2012.
The Regents also issued their enrollment report for the University System of Georgia this. Thirty-four USG institutions posted a record high enrollment this fall.
North Georgia enrolled 5,652 students for the fall 2009 semester, a 3.9% increase from the number of students enrolled in fall 2008.
But the hike in fees, not the increase in enrollment, was the talk of most students, specially those who pay for college out of their own pockets.
The HOPE Scholarship only pays for tuition and books. All other student fees (totaling around $650) will now be closer to $800 and are the responsibility of the student to pay. This means students will have to take out more loan money and pay more out-of-pocket.
Sophomore, Heather Meeks commented: "Why is the fee going up again? Will it really go away or will they just add to it in another two years?"
On Nov. 10, the board voted unanimously to double a "special" mandatory fee for college students in Georgia effective January 2010.
This is the second time students' out-of-pocket expenses have been raised in two years.
Upon informing students about this "special fee" most replied in disbelief. Junior, Brett Roach asked: "Wait, didn't our fees just go up?"
As the economy tanked last year, the Regents instituted a fee of up to $100 per semester depending on the size of the institution.
Now with the new "special" fee, students at research universities such as the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Kennesaw State, will be charged $200 each semester. Other four-year colleges, like North Georgia, will be charged $150 per semester, while students at two-year colleges will pay $100.
The fee will be charged each semester from January 2010 to June 2012.
The Regents also issued their enrollment report for the University System of Georgia this. Thirty-four USG institutions posted a record high enrollment this fall.
North Georgia enrolled 5,652 students for the fall 2009 semester, a 3.9% increase from the number of students enrolled in fall 2008.
But the hike in fees, not the increase in enrollment, was the talk of most students, specially those who pay for college out of their own pockets.
The HOPE Scholarship only pays for tuition and books. All other student fees (totaling around $650) will now be closer to $800 and are the responsibility of the student to pay. This means students will have to take out more loan money and pay more out-of-pocket.
Sophomore, Heather Meeks commented: "Why is the fee going up again? Will it really go away or will they just add to it in another two years?"
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 7
Chelsea
posted 11/19/09 @ 10:36 PM EST
This increase in fee is ridiculous! I'm so sick of it. I'd really like to see where this extra money actually goes and why it's absolutely necessary it needs to be doubled!
North Georgia Student
posted 11/20/09 @ 8:48 AM EST
I agree with Chelsea wondering where the money given to the Board of Regents goes. Our school does not seem to be having as bad of budget cut hits, as far as I can tell. (Continued…)
cody
posted 11/20/09 @ 9:27 PM EST
Yeah, whats the deal? I wouldnt mind knowing where this money is going. Plus, cmon, do the math. $150x5,600 studentsx2semesters=$1,680,000!!! And thats just our school alone. (Continued…)
Barry
posted 11/22/09 @ 10:03 PM EST
Someone has to pay for the new parking decks. You didn't really think the school could absorb such costs without raising fees somewhere ......did you?
KD
posted 11/23/09 @ 4:04 PM EST
Don't forget that faculty and staff are taking quite a financial hit, too. We are scheduled for 6 furlough days this year (So far). Each furlough day costs me over $200. (Continued…)
Tim
posted 11/24/09 @ 8:34 AM EST
When you ask the university why employees are getting furloughed while they are spending over 30 million on new buildings, they say the money used for the new buildings isn't coming from our regular budget, and it can't be used for payroll or any other university expenses. (Continued…)
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