Md. Board Of Regents Approves Tuition Hike For Spring Semester
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Tough times for the state budget means college students in Maryland's university system are about to pay more.
Derek Valcourt explains Maryland's Board of Regents has approved a tuition hike for the spring semester.
The spring semester starts in about a week and a half. Students will spend about two percent more for that education.
With the state facing a massive budget deficit, Maryland's Board of Public Works recently agreed the university system of Maryland would get $40 million less this year, leaving the state run universities scrambling to find ways to save and raise more money.
That's why Friday the University System of Maryland's Board of Regents agreed Salisbury University, Frostburg State, Towson University and the University of Maryland College Park would all increase tuition two percent.
"I think it sucks. That's still a lot. I mean, even as a percentage, it's still a lot," said Tracey Love, Towson student.
The move means full-time in-state undergrad students at College Park will pay $152 more per semester. Out-of-state students will pay $279 more.
And at Towson, Salisbury and Frostburg, full-time tuition will go up another $58 to $62 per semester.
Part-time undergrad students will pay another $5 per credit hour.
"That's frustrating. Money's hard enough to come by at this point. That would make things a little harder," said Wesley Harris, Towson student.
"It's hard enough because students are coming out of college in debt, so it's stressful," said Love.
"People always say you need the education, but good luck paying. It's going to be hard to pay for. But if it's needed, they're obviously doing it for a reason," said Gary Moomau, Towson student.
In addition to the tuition hikes, the universities are also considering furloughs, hiring freezes, eliminating positions and postponing maintenance projects to save money.
University of Maryland College Park announced Friday that faculty, staff and administrators will all be furloughed for three days as a result of the budget strain.
The universities say they will all set aside part of that tuition increase to address the needs of low income students.
