College Tuition Hike For Non-Mississippi Residents

Federal stimulus dollars will help mitigate a University tuition increase for Mississippi residents. However, non residents will have to pay an average of 3.1% more towards a tuition surcharge. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Even though the amount of increase is minimal, Jacqueline Barnes, a junior communications student at Jackson State University doesn't believe any increase is justifiable.

“I’m wondering what they’re doing with the extra money cause it’s hard paying for school. And adding money all the time. It’s just ridiculous to me.”

College Board members approved the increase Thursday. Tuition is only part of the funding issues. That's why Trustee, Ed Blakeslee is calling for out of the box thinking before any other tuition related increases are approved.

“”Purchasing insurance from a system basis as opposed to 8 universities has saved us a couple of million dollars and those are the kind of things that we’re gonna have to do differently in the future.”

At the University of Southern Mississippi, School President, Dr, Martha Saunders says they are taking a look at how they invest scholarship dollars.

“We are trying to find out how we can put that money exactly where it needs to be. And we want to focus it on retention, on the students that are already there. And I think that’s going to make a difference on helping them complete their studies.”

The system wide increase amounts to an average 3.1 percent for the eight universities. Board members also increased room and board for all students. For MPB News, I'm Lawayne Childrey.