The University of Massachusetts trustees are scheduled to meet to consider a 7.5 percent increase in student fees for the next academic year.
BOSTON (AP) — The University of Massachusetts trustees are scheduled to meet to consider a 7.5 percent increase in student fees for the next academic year.
The increase if approved at the full board's meeting on Wednesday would hike the average in-state undergraduate's bill by more than $800 annually.
The fee hikes have already been endorsed by the trustees Committee on Administration and Finance.
University officials say the increased fees are needed to maintain academic standards and services in light of a $54 million budget shortfall brought in in part by the loss of nearly $38 million in federal stimulus money.
The fee hike is expected to close nearly half that gap.
Nearly 30 percent of the money generated by the fee increase would go toward financial aid.