Committee backs tuition hike at William and Mary

The College of William and Mary's in-state undergraduate tuition could increase by $298, or 4.9 percent, to $6,388 this fall, according to a recommendation approved Thursday by the Board of Visitors finance committee.

The full board is expected to approve the proposal today.

The total cost for in-state undergrads, including tuition, fees, room and board, will be $19,302, a 5.6 percent hike. Tuition for out-of-state undergraduates will increase 4.9 percent to $26,180. Total cost will be $39,466, a 5.6 percent increase.

"This budget enables us to provide more need-based student aid during severe financial times, allows us to pay to operate new buildings and protects our academic program," Taylor Reveley, William and Mary president, said in a statement. "Thanks to federal stimulus funds, we are able to keep the undergraduate tuition increase below 5 percent."

University of Virginia officials also said the infusion of stimulus funds allowed them to approve a lower-than-expected jump in tuition and fees this week for in-state undergrads. The increase, $375, or 5 percent, takes annual tuition and fees for in-state, full-time students to $7,873.

At the same time, tuition and required fees for out-of-state students will increase 7.5 percent, or $2,075, to $29,873 a year. A portion of the out-of-state increase is the result of the 2009 General Assembly action to increase the out-of-state capital fee from $2 per credit hour to $10.

Required auxiliary fees totaling $1,755, which cover such areas as athletics, student health, and recreational facilities, will remain the same next year.

Old Dominion University approved tuition increases two weeks ago. In-state undergrads will pay $360 more a year in tuition and fees, a 5.4 percent increase; in-state tuition will rise to $4,394. All changes will begin with summer classes.

Norfolk State University might discuss tuition at its May board meeting. Rates at community colleges will remain steady for the summer term, but the state board will set fall tuition rates in May.

Denise Watson Batts, (757) 446-2504, denise.batts@pilotonline.com