EIU Media Relations

EIU Trustees Approve Hikes in Tuition, Student Fees and Housing Costs

Eastern Illinois University's Board of Trustees approved increases in tuition, student fees and housing costs on Monday, thus finalizing student costs for the 2004-2005 school year.

Tuition for continuing EIU students will increase by 7.5 percent. These Illinois undergraduates will pay $127.65 per semester hour, an increase of $8.90, while Illinois graduate students will pay $134.40 per semester hour, an increase of $9.40.

New students, including transfer students, will pay $137.75 per semester hour, a 16 percent increase from current tuition rates. The increase represents a " locked-in " rate which will not change during the estimated time they will attend Eastern in order to receive a baccalaureate degree.

The university developed this policy in accordance with provisions of State of Illinois Public Act 93-0228 (110 ILCS 665/10-120) (a.k.a., " Truth in Tuition Law ' ), which provides that tuition for new undergraduate Illinois resident students will remain the same for four continuous academic years. (The guaranteed rate is extended - on a limited basis - for those undergraduate degree programs approved by the university for completion in more than four years.)

University administrators, including President Lou Hencken, have gone on record as approving the state program due to its predictability factor and the advantages that will provide as families financially prepare to send their students to college.

For continuing students with an average 15-hour work load, tuition will increase from $1,781.25 per semester to $1,914.75. The rate for new students will stand at $2,066.25 per semester.

Recommended student fees will see students enrolled with 12 or more semester hours paying a full-time rate of $633.75 per semester. This does not include a $71.30 health and accident insurance fee (assessed for all students taking nine or more hours), nor a textbook rental fee equaling $7.95 per enrolled semester hour. Graduate students also will pay a $2 graduate student fee.

Members of Eastern ' s Student Senate and Student Tuition & Fee Review Committee recommended fees totaling $633.75 as follows: activity fee, $35.20; athletic fee, $72.05; campus improvement fee, $68; concert fee, $5; health service & pharmacy fee, $71.60; recreation center fee, $69.50; shuttle bus fee, $10.90; bond revenue fee, $125.75; computer technology fee, $89.60; and grant-in-aid fee, $86.15.

In addition to tuition and fee hikes, trustees also approved an increase in housing rates for the 2004-2005 school year. Room and board rates for students living in Eastern ' s residence halls and Greek Court will increase between $167 and $188 per semester (a 7 percent increase), depending upon the meal plan chosen. The proposed room and board rates will range from $2,551 per semester for the 5 Plus meal option to $2,875 per semester for the 15 Plus meal option.

The four meal plan options each permit students a specified number of dining center meals per week, plus a specified number of " dining dollars " which can be used to buy extra meals in any dining center, make purchases at Eastern ' s Food Court in the University Union or at the university ' s two residence hall convenience centers, or provide dining center meals to guests (when accompanied by that student).

Students living in University Apartments will see an increase of $10 or $11 per month, with rents ranging from $343 to $385 per month.