New students at Augusta State University and the Medical College of Georgia this fall will not benefit from a statewide program that guaranteed students a set tuition rate.
The Board of Regents suspended the "fixed-for-four" plan for the 50,000 students who entered University System of Georgia institutions this fall, said Usha Ramachandran, vice chancellor for fiscal affairs.
The tuition policy guaranteed all freshmen and transfer students who entered college starting in fall 2006 a fixed tuition rate for four years. A budget reduction of more than 10 percent made it impossible to continue the plan, Ms. Ramachandran said. But about 133,000 students statewide will continue to be covered until their four-year period expires, she said.
"The guaranteed tuition policy was contingent upon not having budget reductions," she said. "In order to continue to provide a high-quality education, it became necessary to discontinue the guaranteed tuition plan."
The Medical College of Georgia still has 488 students covered under the tuition policy, said spokeswoman Toni Baker. Augusta State will continue to offer the fixed tuition rate to 2,344 students, said Katherine Sweeney, director of admissions. The program began as an incentive for students to graduate in four years, she said.
"Historically, students finished college in four years, but now it's measured in about six years on average," Ms. Sweeney said. "The guaranteed rate was implemented in hopes of encouraging students to finish college in a more timely manner."
The plan was not as successful as originally hoped, Ms. Ramachandran said. A comparison of the freshman class of 2004 to that of 2006 showed that only two out of every 100 students were on track to graduate in four years, she said.
"Statistically, it showed that program had minimal impact," Ms. Ramachandran said.
Ms. Sweeney said while students will likely face increases down the line, the change will have little impact on Augusta State students.
"Even though there's no guaranteed rate, the rate is still lower than universities in other states," she said. "This is the largest class we've had come in this fall, so I don't think the change will be a deterrent."
But the savings for fixed-for-four students is significant. For example, Augusta State students who began last fall pay $1,549 for 12 to 15 credit hours, according to the university's Web site. Freshmen who entered this fall pay between $1,560 and $1,937 for the same number of credit hours.
Augusta State junior Asha Bostic said she has been fortunate to have fixed tuition since she began college in 2006. But she believes the state should be more sensitive to the financial strain on students. Ms. Bostic said she will likely graduate one semester after reaching her four-year mark at Augusta State.
"I wish they would keep it for the students coming in since it's already hard enough to pay tuition," she said. "My time limit is almost up, so it makes me want to try to finish faster."
Reach Stephanie Toone at (706) 823-3215 or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.
WHAT IS FIXED-FOR-FOUR?
In 2006, the Board of Regents approved the tuition policy that guaranteed all freshmen and transfer students entering college starting in fall 2006 a fixed tuition rate, not including university fees, for four years. A budget reduction of more than 10 percent made it impossible to continue the tuition plan. The Board of Regents originally approved the rate plan to encourage students to complete college in four years.
50,000 - University System of Georgia students who entered college this fall, who will not be covered by the tuition rate plan
133,000- Number of University System of Georgia students who are still covered by the guaranteed tuition rate
2,344 Number of Augusta State University students still benefiting from the guaranteed tuition policy
488 - Number of Medical College of Georgia students still benefiting from the guaranteed tuition policy
Sources: University System of Georgia, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta State University
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I wonder if the board of regents has ever looked at the excessive salaries paid to their administrative and instructional staff before they started listening to those who would place the burden on students to fund their excesses. See http://www.open.georgia.gov/
I wonder if after the government takes over your health car that the same thing might happen. " I know we promised that it wouldn't happen this way, but Go home and die. "