Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Holds Hearing to Discuss Possible Tuition Increase
 
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi held a hearing today to present to students the possibility of an increase in tuition to offset potential losses in state funding and to maintain university growth. 

“Several months ago the Governor directed all state agencies to submit budget requests for the next two years at 5 percent below the current spending level,” said Dr. Flavius Killebrew, A&M-Corpus Christi president. “This would amount to a $2 million a year loss of state funding for us, so we are being prudent and considering restructuring our tuition schedule in order to provide our students the high quality education they have come to expect.”

University tuition is composed of fees; state regulated tuition, which is currently $48 per semester credit hour; and Board Authorized Tuition, which is determined by individual universities. With a 5 percent cut in state funding, the University may increase Board Authorized Tuition by $10 a credit hour, which would generate the $2 million needed to offset the budget cut. If state allocations are adequate, tuition may not increase or the increase would be lower. 

According to Killebrew, 20 percent of the income raised from a tuition increase would be used to provide grant aid for students with financial need in order to offset tuition increases. The remaining 80 percent will support instruction and enrollment growth, including expanding class offerings, increasing faculty and staff, providing competitive compensation, and maintaining three new buildings on campus. The University will maintain its current flat tuition rate for students taking 12 credit hours or more. While the norm has been for students to take 12 hours a semester, the flat rate enables them to take a heavier course load for the same price, increasing the likelihood of graduating within four years.  Since most financial aid is unavailable after four years and students start relying on loans, the flat rate helps reduce student debt.

University officials said that tuition decisions will be made in April or May, pending the outcome of the State’s legislative process. After that, administration recommendations will be reviewed by the University’s Strategic Planning and Budgeting Council before submission to The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents for approval.