Penn State OKs tuition increases
By Amanda Clegg, aclegg@altoonamirror.comFact Box
Psu's price
Here are Penn State's in-state, undergraduate tuition rates for full-time students for the 2008-09 school year at two area campuses. IST stands for information sciences and technology.
University Park:
Freshmen and sophomores: $13,014
Juniors and seniors:
- Business, science, IST, engineering: $14,904
- Nursing: $16,798
- All other programs: $14,070
Penn State Altoona:
Freshmen and sophomores:
$ 11,490
- Business, science, IST, engineering: $13,306
- All other programs: $12,504
For the breakdown of costs for 2008-09 for all Penn State campuses, visit www.psu.edu and click on prospective students, then tuition and fees.
To save on costs, incoming freshman Ethan DeVore of Huntingdon plans to commute to Penn State Altoona this fall.
He estimates a savings of more than $6,000 after comparing the price of room and board to what gas should cost for the 35-minute trip.
His decision came before Penn State University trustees Friday approved tuition hikes of about 5 percent for the 2008-09 academic year.
The percentage differs according to students' academic years and what campuses they attend. For instance, freshmen and sophomores from Pennsylvania who attend the University Park campus will see tuition rise by 4.7 percent, or $365 a semester.
Nonresident freshmen or sophomores at University Park will see tuition go up 5.9 percent, or $548 a semester.
With prices rising and two boys in college, DeVore's mother, Pam DeVore, is trying to save money where she can.
The thought of a tuition increase is upsetting.
''We want our kids to go to college,'' she said. ''What isn't going up?''
David Pearlman, Penn State Altoona director of student aid, said parent loans and deferred payment plans are available to students.
He said every student qualifies for loans guaranteed by the federal government, and he advised searching for scholarships at www.fastweb.com and on college Web sites.
Trustees Friday also approved a $3.6 billion budget, up 5.1 percent from last year. The 2008-09 budget includes a $338 million appropriation from the General Assembly.
School president Graham Spanier said the budget reflected ''concerted efforts to tighten our belts in the face of significant fiscal challenges.'' State appropriations to Penn State have increased by more than 5 percent during the past eight years.
''This signals a trend in state practice, perhaps unintended, to shift more of the burden of the cost of higher education to students and their families,'' Spanier said in a statement. ''This is a shift we lament.''
Among the 11 Big Ten universities, Penn State had the highest total undergraduate tuition and fees for in-state, main campus students at $12,844 for the 2007-08 academic year, more than $1,700 higher than second-place Illinois.
Penn State ranked third-highest for out-of-state students at $23,712, behind Michigan and Illinois.
Also Friday, University of Pittsburgh trustees announced tuition increases between 2 percent and 6 percent for 2008-09.
In-state students attending Pitt's main campus will pay 6 percent more, while out-of-state students will see a 4 percent increase.
In-state students at the university's four regional campuses (Johnstown, Titusville, Greensburg and Bradford) will pay 4 percent more, while out-of-state students at those campuses will pay 2 percent more.
In comparison, Juniata College's tuition will go up 4.8 percent for 2008-09.
''Very few students who attend private colleges like Juniata pay the full amount of tuition, thanks to endowed scholarships that the college uses as internal financial aid, state and federal grants and other programs that can be applied to every student that qualifies for financial aid,'' college spokesman John Wall said.
The Associated Press contributed to this story. Mirror Staff Writer Amanda Clegg is at 949-7030.
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Youngandwise
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07-13-08 2:45 PM
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Cowher....that's one thing that concerns people when they hear the price of my college is that it must lack somewhere. But that's the great thing about it. The price should be double-if not more- than what it is for the modern facilities and excellent education. But they have graciously applied scholarships to every student by using one of their affiliations that could be earning them big money in order to cut our expenses. As far as the Bible foundation goes, it allows for us to apply what we are taught in the Bible in our everyday routines. Since you are a very Christian person, I am sure you understand that that is exactly what we are to do with His Word--apply it to our lives everyday. It also creates honest lawyers, businessman, nurses, and so forth that will do their business with motives to make a difference rather than just to make money. If you want to check it out go to **** pcci. edu. (Without the spaces)
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Chuxspringer
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07-13-08 12:27 PM
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Besides go in the military. They pay well AND you can get your education paid for by We the people.....
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Chuxspringer
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07-13-08 12:26 PM
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Hey you wanted it you got it. Do not I keep hearing a great education costs money; AND you get the best party atmosphere. H e l l even the Arts Fest is a reason to get wasted down there. Enjoy the price.
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tyronefan
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07-12-08 11:45 PM
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I go to Mount Aloysius College and my tution is fairly expensive already. It is almost comparable to Penn State. Although i feel bad for my brother because he goes to Princeton University and there tuition is over $40,000 per year. Thankfully for him he got a full academic scholarship because of his outstanding grades. He attended Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, PA and they helped him get there along with his 1470 on his SAT's before they changed them.
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cowher12
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07-12-08 11:03 PM
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Well thats wonderful but just remember you get what you pay for. You cannot make a judgement on the quality of education you recieved until you have been out of school at least 5 years. Not sure what the bible part has to do with anything. You may think that its a great thing to have bible foundation in your classes however if i had bible foundation in my classes in college I would have been very upset and I am a very christian person. I didnt pay to college to listen to someone preach to me. Just my opinion
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Youngandwise
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07-12-08 1:08 PM
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Wow!! This makes me very thankful for my $6,500/year tuition at my out of state college. The price is unmatchable for the excellent education, I get a strong Bible foundation in all of my classes, I live in Florida, the campus is beautiful, the faculty is qualified and caring, and the perks go on and on. One of a kind!
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