University of California approves multiyear tuition increase

The University of California Board of Regents approved plans to increase tuition for the California university system starting in the fall of 2022.

The plan would increase the tuition for both incoming undergraduates and transfer students, with a fee schedule tied to both inflation and a certain percentage of the tuition. For students starting in the fall of 2022, incoming freshmen and transfer students will be expected to pay 2 percent plus inflation, or 4.2 percent, more than the current tuition, according to a news release from the University of California Office of the President.

That percentage would drop for each of the following incoming classes until the 2026-27 academic year, when any increase would be based solely on inflation, according to The Associated Press.

The plan would not affect current students or students enrolling in the fall of 2021. According to the new release, the added tuition will remain the same for students throughout their time in college. 

It’s the second time that the university system, which consists of 10 schools and has been lauded for its academics, has increased in-state tuition in 10 years. The system noted that while funding from the state and tuition increased by 9 percent in the last two decades, it has been outpaced by enrollment by 71 percent. 

The university system said it saw a 36 percent drop in funding per student. 

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon was among those who voted no on the tuition increase, tweeting on Thursday that he’s “proud to stand with our students today.”

Sometimes it’s right to be on the losing side.

Today I voted no on the tuition increase for the @UofCalifornia.

This increase comes as many are facing financial strain, and despite historic investments in the UC in the #CABudget.

I’m proud to stand with our students today. https://t.co/G97HuZqcGY

— Anthony Rendon (@Rendon63rd) July 22, 2021

The university system has said that intends to use some of the tuition increase to provide students with more financial aid.

“For California undergraduates, UC will direct 45 percent of all new base tuition revenues toward lower- and middle-income California undergraduates, an increase from the current 33 percent,” the news release said.

“This support, coupled with the state’s Cal Grant program, will not only cover the tuition increase for more than 106,000 in-state students, but also provide additional aid to help them cover basics such as food, housing and books,” it continued. 

Students have already expressed their opposition to the tuition increase.

“Over the past 2 years, thousands of UC students raised their voices against this tuition hike. While we were not successful in blocking it, @_UCSA will closely follow its implementation & continue to zealously fight for a more affordable, accessible, & quality university,” Aidan Arasasingham, president of the UC Students Association, tweeted on Thursday.