VTSU announces 3.5% tuition hike

JOHNSON, Vt. (WCAX) – Tuition is going up at Vermont State University students. As the newly merged institution attempts to become financially sustainable following a series of faculty and administrative cuts, the board of trustees has approved a 3.5% increase for in and out-of-state students.

VTSU officials say inflation is to blame for the proposed hike.

“We all have our costs across the board,” said VTSU’s Sarah Truckle.

VTSU students we spoke with Monday said the tuition hike is not surprising. “For me, personally ‚it does not bring any red flags in my mind, but it is sad,” said Wiliam Casciara, a VTSU sophomore. “The struggles that this campus has been going through when it comes to the population, staff decrease, inflation, and extra stuff that has been happening not only within the campus but outside of the campus.”

Standard in-state tuition will go from $9,984 to $10,344 by fall. Out-of-state students’ tuition will increase from $19,992 to $20,688.

“Whether it is fuel, staffing, as well as other types of pressures. For us, it is really critical for obtaining affordability, it’s anchored in our strategic plan. I think we have really, really tried to maintain that affordability,” Truckle said.

She says the school has eliminated orientation and lab fees, rolling them into comprehensive and program-specific tuition packets.

VTSU also announced this month it will offer free tuition this fall for Vermonters with an adjusted gross income of $50,000 or under.

“Johnson was able to gift me nicely in the tuition and scholarship area. So, that was one of the main reasons I came here. I am interested to see how that will effect me,” said Bug Pericles, a VTSU junior.

The University of Vermont also is raising tuition for out-of-state students by 3.5%.