State System Tuition Rises 3.5%

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education's (PASSHE) Board of Governors today voted to increase tuition $181, or 3.5% for the 2008/2009 academic year. That pushes the new annual tuition rate for a full-time, resident, undergraduate student to $5,358. Students who live on campus during the 2008/2009 school year will pay a total of around $13,000, including tuition, fees, and room and board. The tuition increase comes in a year when there has already been a reduction in state-issued financial aid. PASSHE spokesman Kenn Marshall says the tuition increase is still less than the 5% rate of inflation, and that PASSHE will work with students who are burdened financially.