State Action to Determine 2009-10 Penn State Tuition Rates
On Friday, July 10, faced with the continuing state budget impasse and Gov. Ed Rendell’s June 26 proposal to cut Penn State’s appropriation by nearly $61 million, the University’s Board of Trustees and administration made the unprecedented decision to approve two different tuition schedules.
The question as to which tuition schedule will be adopted will depend on the size and timing of the final appropriation determined by the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Gov. Rendell. If the Commonwealth is able to enact a budget by July 17 that includes appropriations for Penn State at the original 2008-09 level, then the Board of Trustees has authorized the University administration to implement the 2009-10 tuition increase at earlier planned levels.
However, regardless of whether the Commonwealth passes its budget, Penn State tuition rates will be decided by July 17 and tuition bills will be available to view and/or pay beginning Tuesday, July 21.
What this means for Penn State Behrend
The first tuition scenario—the earlier planned level, prior the governor’s June 26 proposal—results in the following tuition changes for Penn State Behrend.
-- Lower-division Commonwealth Campus students at Penn State Behrend, defined as those who have completed less than 59.1 credits, who are Pennsylvania residents (in-state) will see a 3.9 percent tuition increase, which translates to $226 per semester.
The second scenario—impacted by severe funding cuts proposed by Gov. Rendell—would result in the following tuition changes for Penn State Behrend.
-- Lower-division Commonwealth Campus students at Penn State Behrend, defined as those who have completed less than 59.1 credits, who are Pennsylvania residents (in-state) will see a 4.9 percent tuition increase, which translates to $284 per semester.
“Unfortunately at this time, we cannot say which tuition scenario will be finalized because of the uncertainty in Harrisburg,” said Dr. Jack Burke, chancellor of Penn State Behrend. “We will continue to keep students informed as the situation unfolds.”
For planning purposes, Penn State Behrend’s 2008-09 tuition schedule can be found online at www.behrend.psu.edu/admissions/undergrad/costsheet.pdf.
Visit http://live.psu.edu/story/40500 for Penn State’s University-wide news release, including 2009-10 tuition scenarios for University Park students and additional information regarding Rendell’s proposed budget plan.