The University of North Florida is proposing a 15% increase in non-resident fees, a 5% increase in on-campus housing rental rates and a repeat-course surcharge.

The increases are “necessary to continue supporting the university’s mission” and to cover inflationary operational and maintenance costs, according to a university notice. If approved, the changes will take effect in fall 2026.

Proposal breakdown

In the notice, the university said the additional revenue from the non-resident fees will help fund instruction, salaries, benefits and operational costs.

While the notice did not specify which entities at UNF would benefit from the proposal, the 15% hike aligns with Florida Board of Governors regulations, which require universities to charge out-of-state students enough to cover the full instructional cost of their education.

Under state guidelines, adjustments to out-of-state fees for certain programs are capped at 15% per year. 

While Florida has historically maintained some of the lowest out-of-state tuition rates in the country, individual universities can petition the state board for increases to meet rising operational costs. 

The repeat-course surcharge is also mandated by Florida law, which requires any student enrolled in the same undergraduate college-credit course for a third time to pay 100% of the full cost of instruction. 

Because this is a state law, the exact surcharge amount is calculated annually by the Florida Board of Governors based on systemwide averages. 

However, under UNF policy, students who withdraw from or fail a class due to documented extenuating circumstances or financial hardship may petition the university’s Fee Appeals Committee for a one-time per-course waiver.

Housing and Residence Life plans

The increase in the housing rate is intended to fund current and projected expenses while enhancing the residential student experience, according to the proposal. 

Housing and Residence Life (HRL) said it is closely monitoring operational expenses and preparing for future renovations, particularly following the addition of new debt from the Osprey Ridge Honors Residence Hall, which opened to students in fall 2025.

UNF sophomore Mikael Griffin said the rent increase should be accompanied by current housing improvements, not only more housing construction.

“I’ve lived on campus, and not every dorm is worth the price they’re making students pay,” said Griffin. “If they want to make us pay more, the bathrooms are a good place to start.”

According to Griffin, he and other on-campus housing residents have experienced mold in the bathrooms and showers.

“It’s pretty gross. It’s cool and all that we’re building more housing, but what about the existing housing?” said Griffin. “They want us to pay more for them?”

To prepare for future budget performance, HRL is also proposing subsequent rental rate increases of up to 5% for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 academic years, according to the proposal.

Beginning in fall 2026, UNF expects to provide housing to 23% of its overall enrollment across eight residential communities, totaling 4,005 beds.

Proposed housing rate highlights for 2026-27

If approved, residents across campus will see rate adjustments for the upcoming academic year. Examples of the proposed 5% increases include:

• Osprey Hall: Double spaces will increase from $2,697 to $2,832 per semester.
• Osprey Fountains: A private bedroom in a six-bed suite will rise from $3,697 to $3,882 per semester.
• Osprey Ridge: A four-bedroom suite with a shared bath will increase from $4,415 to $4,636 per semester.
• The Flats at UNF: A two-bedroom unfurnished apartment will increase from $838 to $880 per month.
• Summer term housing: A private space in Osprey Landing, Cove or Crossings will rise from $2,413 to $2,534 per summer term.

Statewide fee increases

Several other major universities in the Florida State University System (SUS) are proposing identical or similar fee hikes for the fall 2026 semester, citing the exact same issues with inflation and operational costs.

The proposed 15% non-resident fee hike mirrors similar proposals at the University of Florida and Florida International University, both of which cited rising operational costs for their planned increases in fall 2026. 

The FIU Board of Trustees approved the proposal in February 2026

If approved by the UF and UNF Boards of Trustees, the hikes reflect a broader trend across the Florida State University System to offset inflation.

To view the full proposals from UNF, visit the Board of Trustees website.

The proposed changes will be presented to the UNF Board of Trustees for approval on Tuesday, June 23, at 9 a.m. inside the Adam W. Herbert University Center.

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