VCU news

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley

The Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors today approved a 5 percent increase in tuition and fees for in-state undergraduate and graduate students for the 2005-2006 academic year. The total cost of education, including tuition, fees, student housing and dining plans, will increase 3.1 percent over the previous year. 

Tuition and fees for full-time, undergraduate Virginia students was set at $5,385 for the upcoming academic year, an increase of $247. Out-of-state students will pay $17,440, which represents an increase of less than 1 percent. Room charges for typical university housing will increase by 3.1 percent, with no increase in board rates. 

Total costs for a full-time, in-state, undergraduate student living on campus will be $12,427 for the upcoming academic year, while an out-of-state student will pay $24,482.

“This is a modest increase that takes into account the large number of VCU students who are receiving financial aid and who work,” said VCU President Eugene P. Trani. “We are committed to do all we can to keep tuition as low as possible, while still providing a quality education at one of the nation’s top research institutions.”

VCU officials said that tuition and fee increases will be used for instructional programs including additional faculty, new program offerings and to cover a portion of the cost of salary increases approved by the 2005 General Assembly for faculty and staff. The additional tuition and fee revenue also will support increases in student financial assistance, new funding for VCU Libraries, graduate assistants and costs associated with the expansion of the Monroe Park Campus.

The VCU Board of Visitors will consider the full budget plan for the upcoming academic year at its regular quarterly meeting on May 20.