Tuition and fee increases of up to 8.2 percent will be considered by the Kansas Board of Regents today.
State universities last month proposed tuition and fee increases between 4.1 and 8.2 percent for in-state students this fall. Regents are expected to make the final decision today.
Last year, universities lowered their proposed tuition increases after the board expressed discontent with the initial proposals.
If the proposed increase remains unchanged, a Wichita State University student taking 15 credit hours could see tuition and fees per semester increase $211.50, or 7.7 per-cent, from the current $2,733.50 to $2,945.00.
WSU President Don Beggs has said WSU plans to use $1.5 million in federal stimulus money to offset the tuition increases by giving all Kansas students a scholarship of $5.50 per credit hour — so in-state students would see a tuition increase of $2 a credit hour instead of the proposed $7.50.
Kansas State University proposed a 7.4 percent, or $253.25, increase in tuition and fees, bringing the cost of a semester to $3,688, up from $3,434.75.
The University of Kansas sought the largest increase at 8.2 percent, or $305.60. That would bring the cost of being a Jayhawk to $4,012.45 in tuition and fees a semester, up from $3,706.85.
In 2007, KU began a separate tuition program for incoming freshmen. The Compact Tuition Rates allow students to pay a higher rate than the standard tuition, but the rate — proposed at $4,366.45 for fall 2010 — is locked in for four years.
The other proposed tuition and fee increases are:
– Emporia State University, $131 or 6 percent, to $2,318 up from $2,187
– Pittsburg State University, $128 or 5.6 percent, to $2,424 up from $2,296
–Fort Hays State University, $77.25 or 4.1 percent, to $1,958.25 up from $1,881.