Temple OKs low tuition hike; boost in aid
In a move made two months earlier than usual, Temple University yesterday approved its lowest tuition increase in 13 years and gave financial aid the largest one-year boost in its history.
In a move made two months earlier than usual, Temple University yesterday approved its lowest tuition increase in 13 years and gave financial aid the largest one-year boost in its history.
The state-related university usually waits to approve its spending plan until closer to Pennsylvania's budget adoption so that aid dollars can be best predicted.
But officials said yesterday that they wanted to give families more time to plan how they will pay for college, given the economic turmoil.
"As much information as we can give them, and as early as we can give it, will help them make these very important decisions," Temple spokesman Ray Betzner said.
Tuition will rise 2.9 percent under action approved by the Board of Trustees at a special meeting, from $10,858 to $11,174 for in-state students and from $19,878 to $20,454 for out-of-state students.
Also, the financial-aid budget will jump $21 million over the next three years, including about $7 million in the first year, officials said. The university spent $65 million on financial aid this year.
It's the largest infusion in one year in Temple's history, officials said.
"We have passed a budget that serves our most important and most deserving stakeholders - our students - by keeping a Temple education more affordable," president Ann Weaver Hart said in a statement.
The university cut its operating budget by 5 percent, or $40 million, about half of which will go toward the new financial aid, officials said. The rest will help with increasing utility bills, contractual salary increases, and other costs.
Temple announced the 5 percent reduction in January. It will consolidate some programs, leave some staff positions vacant, and freeze salaries for nonunion employees.
