Tuition Fee Adjustment

I hope everyone had an enjoyable and restful holiday break.

Consistent with our institutional core values and “caring” about the success of our students, we are concerned about access and affordability. Likewise, with the competitive recruiting landscape in higher education, we have to maintain a cost of attendance for our students that is competitive relative to other institutions. However, we are also cognizant of the fact that our operational costs continue to increase.

Like a number of other institutions, Southeastern traditionally has not charged students tuition for courses taken above 12 credit hours. The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System recently approved a policy which allows System institutions to charge fees up to $150 per credit hour above 15 hours.

Beginning this semester, Southeastern will implement a fee in accordance with the policy. Please note that there will be no change in the cost of attendance for enrollment up to 15 credit hours. Because of existing fees, and because the new Board policy allows up to $150 per credit hour inclusive of certain existing fees, the net effect of this fee change for students is $86 at 16 hours, $220 at 17 hours and $354 at 18 hours. The fee is capped at 18 hours.

Even with this fee adjustment, Southeastern remains more affordable in comparison to many other institutions with a cost of attendance that is lower than the average for institutions in Louisiana.

In addition, this fee is being implemented pursuant to current legislative authority which requires five percent of revenue generated to be used for need-based student aid, helping somewhat mitigate the impact of the additional fee. Furthermore, students participating in the Southeastern Promise tuition guarantee program will not realize any increase in their cost of attendance, as is the case for students benefiting from the dependent fee waiver.

As we always do when considering changes that impact our students, this modification in the fee structure was discussed at length with student leaders.

I know you join me in looking forward to a successful spring semester.

 

John L. Crain
President