The University of North Florida Board of Trustees approved a 15% out-of-state fee hike and a 5% on-campus housing rent increase during its quarterly meeting at the Adam W. Herbert University Center.
Both the housing and out-of-state tuition requests were approved, with Student Body President and Trustee Hazel Joseph voting in opposition of both and Trustee James Beasley voting in opposition of the housing rate hike.
Housing rates climb to meet the university’s bond obligations
Housing and Residence Life requested a 5% increase in the rental rate for the 2026-27 academic year to cover current and projected maintenance expenses and debt service associated with the new Osprey Ridge Honors Residence Hall, according to the notice of this university proposal.
During the meeting, Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance Scott Bennett said that these rate hikes are necessary to remain compliant with bond covenants and keep pace with inflation.
“Most of our housing has been built with bonds, so we do have a lot of bond covenant requirements that we have to maintain certain ratios, but we’re getting dangerously close to being in violation of those,” Bennett said.
When Joseph asked, “Why wasn’t there a steady increase every single year?” Bennett said that the university’s hands were tied by the state.
“Quite frankly, the reason why we didn’t is that we didn’t have the authority to raise housing for 8 years, so that once the state opened the ability, we have been steadily increasing,” Bennett said. “Otherwise, it probably would have been about a 30% increase that first year [on housing].”
Out-of-state tuition jumps 15%
Targeting non-resident undergraduate and graduate students, the board approved a 15% fee increase that aligns with Florida Board of Governors regulations requiring out-of-state tuition to cover the full instructional cost of an education.
The Florida Board of Governors gave all universities the authority to increase out-of-state fees for two years, maxing out at 15% this year, according to Bennett’s presentation.
The fee adjustment is expected to generate between $1 million and $2 million in additional revenue for the university, according to Bennett’s presentation.
“We’ve now gone 14 years without touching any tuition in state or out of state,” Bennett said.
Addressing affordability concerns, Bennett said that the university is prepared to support affected students.
“We do recognize this is an impact on students’ budgets, regardless of how minor we may think it is,” Bennett said. “You will see when we get to the budget, we are increasing the amount of money we are putting toward financial aid this year to the highest we’ve ever done.”
In Bennett’s budget presentation, it reported that $6.7 million would be allocated in financial aid.
“It is the most we have ever allocated toward financial aid,” said Bennett.
Repeat course surcharge drops
While housing and tuition are seeing upward momentum, one fee is actually shrinking, according to an updated notice from UNF.
Based on Board of Governors calculations, the penalty fee for repeating a class will decrease from $261.06 to $241.81 for the upcoming academic year.
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