Tuition and Fee Increases for Fall 2015

Dear Students,

Last week, the UL System Board of Supervisors approved tuition and fee hikes for its nine member institutions. Tuition at UL Lafayette will increase by 10 percent over last year’s tuition rate. Also, the Board approved a new general and auxiliary fee of $28.58 per credit hour for all UL Lafayette students.

The new tuition and fee rate for the fall 2015 semester for an undergraduate resident who is enrolled for 12 credit hours, for example, will increase from $3,436 to $4,128.

The value of the TOPS scholarship will increase by 10 percent to cover the tuition increase. UL Lafayette also is setting aside 10 percent of the fee increase for need-based aid and is increasing the value of University-awarded scholarships.

Additionally, full-time students can apply for a hardship waiver for all or part of applicable tuition and fee increases. The instructions for the waiver can be viewed on ULink in the Financial Aid section.

Neither the Board nor the University was pleased to have to increase tuition and fees. However, we worked to safeguard the University’s ample course offerings, along with enhancing academic resources, and we took steps to make certain that the University remains accessible to qualified students.

Higher education has been cut more than $700 million in state funding since 2008. We have done all that we could to protect the University’s academic core. Although we held off a potential $600 million possible cut this year, state universities were essentially left to raise revenue through tuition and fees.

Despite the increase this year, UL Lafayette remains affordable by comparison. Our tuition and fees are less than the Southern Regional Education Board average of similar institutions. Our combined tuition and fees for fall and spring are in line with the other two research institutions in the UL System:

Louisiana Tech University:  $8,823
University of Louisiana at Lafayette:  $8,244
University of New Orleans:  $8,154

We will continue to provide you with information, as it’s available. The Schedule of Fees will be posted by July 15, and updated scholarship and financial aid information will be emailed by August 1.

In the meantime, Dr. DeWayne Bowie, vice president for Enrollment Management, is available to assist you. You can reach him at dkbowie@louisiana.edu or (337) 482-5912. His office is located in Martin Hall, Room 248.

Above all, we will remain accessible and affordable, while preserving our strong academic programs and reputation.

Sincerely,

E. Joseph Savoie
President
president@louisiana.edu