UMaine system continues six-year tuition freeze

For the sixth straight year, the University of Maine System said it will continue its trend of freezing in-state tuition at its public universities.

The decision to not increase tuition in the system comes at a time of continued budget shortfalls, with a $20 million budget gap projected for its 2016-17 fiscal year, according to the Bangor Daily News. Before the decision to freeze tuition was announced, UMaine system officials were eyeing a proposal to raise in-state tuition by 2.3%, which would have brought in an additional $4.5 million in revenue.

Among the supporters for the freeze is Gov. Paul LePage, who proposed adding $7.5 million in supplemental budget funding for the system to avoid the increase.

“We are committed to ensuring that higher education in Maine is affordable and accessible,” LePage said. “Today’s vote means that students at the University of Maine schools will have lower student loan payments when they graduate, providing them more opportunity with less debt to build a future in Maine.”

Although in-state tuition won’t be increasing, the university system could still increase out-of-state tuition or increase mandatory fees on programs like student health and activity funds to boost revenue.

The final version of the fiscal year 2017 budget will be brought before the board of trustees in May.

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