Tuition Increase For Florida College Students - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

Florida college students, get ready to pay a little more for your education. The Florida Board of Governors approved tuition increases Thursday that we be felt all around the state, and right here in Panama City.

University officials say over the past several years, there's been a reduction in the amount of revenue coming into the schools. That, combined with a $300 million dollar cut earlier this year forced the universities to go to the finance and budget committee to ask for the tuition hikes.

11 of the 12 public universities in Florida saw an increase. Among them:

• University of Central Florida will see a 15% increase 
• University of West Florida will see a 14% increase
• University of Florida will see a 9% increase
• Florida State University will see a 13% increase

FSU's Panama City campus will feel the affects of the increase starting this fall. Dean Ken Shaw says the school will do what it can to help students adjust to the increase.

"We have a number of scholarships that we provide for students that are in financial need, and we're going to everything we can for those that actually need the financial assistance to provide that assistance so they can maintain a great education," Dr. Shaw said.

Laura Cheseldine, a student at FSU-PC, says it's tough but she understands why it's necessary.

"It's unfortunate, but with budget cuts and everything it has to come out of somebody's pocket," Cheseldine said. "I'm going to leave here with a degree so whatever I pay for it, I'm gonna be proud of it."

Dr. Shaw says the tuition increase won't affect student fees.