At its annual retreat in Florida last weekend, the Board of Trustees approved a 6.37 percent increase in undergraduate tuition and also approved a proposal that set graduate tuition at a flat rate equal to the undergraduate tuition rate of $26,400 per year.
“The tuition increase [for the 2002-2003 academic year] reflects the growing costs of providing a world-class technological education,” said Provost Bud Peterson.
Over the last four years, tuition has, on average, increased 5.5 percent each year. While the 6.37 percent is higher than the increases of previous years, Institute officials point to the myriad of initiatives RPI is currently undertaking.
“In the face of this tuition increase it’s important to remember that RPI is spending $17 million this year and $17 million next year on campus maintenance and improvement. We are also adding 65 new faculty positions—I think these moves will improve the quality of education at RPI,” said Peterson.
The decision to change graduate tuition from a $700 per credit hour charge to a flat fee equal to undergraduate tuition drew criticism from student government representatives in recent weeks.
While the tuition increased 6.37 percent, the true increase in cost for students will ultimately be higher. When a tuition increase is approved, RPI scholarships do not rise accordingly. “If a student’s financial need rises as a result of a tuition increase, the amount of their RPI scholarship stays at the same level,” said Institute Spokesman Bruce Adams.
RPI financial aid policy guarantees incoming student scholarships at a set rate for four years; outside non-RPI scholarships typically don’t increase based on a tuition increase. Federal and state aid does increase based upon increased financial need, but this extra aid often takes the form of increased loan eligibility.
“Students will have to find the extra resources to make up the funds,” conceded Adams.
Students typically “make up the funds” by working part-time, finding outside scholarships, or taking out additional loans. This is the situation in which some RPI students now find themselves.
“I’m not seeing what the increases are doing. I have not seen any difference [in quality] since my freshman year,” said junior Farah Martin. Martin also stated that since her freshmen year she has had to take out loans to cover the additional costs. “I have no clue where I’ll find the extra money,” said Martin.
Martin’s case draws some parrallels to junior Tony Moore’s situation. “My freshman year was real comfortable [financially],”said Moore. Moore went on to say he fears how much he’s going to have to “make up” this upcoming year. “I know I’m going to be in debt when I get out,” said Moore.
