For Immediate Release
Contact:
Matthew Cookson, USNH: 603-862-0904
Matt.cookson@usnh.edu

University System of New Hampshire FY09 Budget Demonstrates
Continued Commitment to Financial Aid and Cost Controls

June 26, 2008—Keene, NH—The University System of New Hampshire (USNH) Board of Trustees approved its budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year and set tuition rates at the four USNH institutions: the University of New Hampshire, Plymouth State University, Keene State College, and Granite State College.  The total direct cost of attendance for full-time undergraduate students will increase between 5.2 percent and 6.4 percent across the USNH residential campuses. 

Tuition will rise by 6.9 percent for in-state students at the University of New Hampshire, 6.8 percent at Plymouth State University and Keene State College, and 7.2 percent at Granite State College.  Tuition for out-of-state students will rise by 5.2 percent at the three residential institutions, lower than the in-state rate, but higher in terms of dollars given the difference between what in-state and out-of-state students are charged (see chart below).  Financial aid remains a top priority for the Board, which approved a 14.2 percent increase for student financial aid support.  

The Board held their annual business meeting today at Keene State College.  They approved the USNH operating budget for 2008-09 which includes setting tuition and fee levels at all USNH institutions.  The 14.2 percent increase in financial aid is consistent with increases over the decade as part of a concerted effort to reduce the cost of attendance for needy New Hampshire students across the institutions.  This increase included funds for a third year of eligibility for the Affordable College Effort, or ACE.  Combined with other financial aid programs, these grants enable financially needy New Hampshire residents attending a residential USNH institution as a full time student to incur no loan debt for the direct cost of their education, which includes standard room, board, tuition, and fees. Eligible freshmen began receiving the awards in 2006 and eligibility was expanded to sophomores in the fall of 2007. 

“While we are under considerable financial pressure due to the current economic downturn and the significant increases in energy and health care costs all organizations are facing, the Board developed a budget that continues our commitment to funding institutional financial aid,” said USNH Board of Trustees’ Chairman Andrew Lietz.  “Since 2000, the USNH Board has more than tripled financial aid support for New Hampshire residents, increasing the commitment from under $6 million in FY00 to nearly $21 million in FY09.”

Trustees voted to approve a $408 million operating budget for “education and general” purposes in FY09, which represents a 3.4 percent increase from the current FY08 level, not including financial aid.  The budget also includes a 4.2 percent state appropriation increase, to $100 million.  When combined with activity from auxiliary (self-supporting) operations and sponsored grants and programs, the total USNH operating net revenue and expenses will be $698 million next year.

For FY09, the direct costs of attendance (tuition, fees, room, and board) for in-state students will increase by 5.8 percent at UNH, 6.4 percent at Plymouth State University, 5.2 percent at Keene State College, and 7.2 percent at Granite State College.  While the rate of tuition increase is approximately the same at each institution, the total cost of attendance increase varies due to the costs associated with the construction of new residence and dining facilities on the campuses.  These room, board, and mandatory fee-related expenses have all been approved by the respective student governance groups at each institution.  

In dollar terms, tuition for in-state students at the University of New Hampshire in Durham will increase by $610, to $9,420, while the Manchester campus will see a $730 increase to $8,980.  Tuition at both Plymouth State University and Keene State College will rise by $420 to $6,600. Tuition for students at Granite State College will increase by $16 per credit, for a total of $238 per credit hour.  What follows is a chart showing the total cost of attendance for in-state and out-of-state students at each of the four institutions for the 2008-09 academic year:

UNH	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition	$9,420	$22,900
Fees	$2,336	$2,336
Room & Board	$8,596	$8,596
Total	$20,352	$33,832
PSU	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition	$6,600	$14,450
Fees	$1,824	$1,824
Room & Board	$8,150	$8,150
Total	$16,574	$24,424
KSC	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition	$6,600	$14,450
Fees	$2,168	$2,168
Room & Board	$7,796	$7,796
Total	$16,564	$24,414
UNH M	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition	$8,980	$22,740
GSC	In-State	Out-of-State
Credit-Hour	$238	$252

 

“Our institutions have taken many proactive steps to reduce costs, create greater efficiencies, and develop creative long-term solutions that can help keep our costs and our tuition rates as low as possible.  From the cutting edge efforts at UNH to design and build the EcoLine pipeline, to bio-diesel and co-generation efforts at Keene State and operating one of the most energy efficient dormitories in the country at Plymouth State, we are making significant headway.  We’re committed to constantly looking for new ways to further reduce our costs and recognize the importance of making college as affordable as possible so we are able to produce the skilled workforce and citizenry New Hampshire will need to prosper in years to come,” said Board Chairman Lietz.

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