Tuition Increase, More Financial Assistance Announced by CUNY
5/19/2009
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New York State authorized and the CUNY Board of Trustees adopted tuition increases at the University this week. To reduce the impact of the increases, the Board and Chancellor Goldstein are implementing a $10 million, University-wide student financial assistance package.
The 15% across the board increase will cost in-state undergraduates attending senior colleges $300 per semester and will take effect in fall 2009 and is the first increase in five years. The need to maintain a stable financial footing for the University during the current economically troubled times, including state budget cuts; the continued the hiring of full time faculty; and the maintenance of class offerings and student services were cited as compelling reasons for adopting the increase.
Students that are full award recipients of state TAP and federal Pell grants—some 70% of CUNY students—are not impacted by the increase. The $10 million in the increased student financial assistance package will be targeted to assist CUNY students ineligible for either TAP or Pell grants.
The financial assistance package will include a mix of partial tuition waivers; payment of Sallie Mae fees for student borrowers; options to reduce textbook costs; student jobs programs and financial support for programs targeting student nutrition, homelessness and hunger issues. (See links for details). Access to $350 million NY HELPS (New York Higher Education Loan Program) will be available in spring 2009-2010 and Federal Tax credits for the first $2,000 in tuition will also assist families in paying for college.
The decision to raise CUNY tuition was met with a partial student class walkout and spirited protest rally on the steps of Boylan Hall on Wednesday afternoon by several hundred students and faculty supporters.
