UMass Trustees Approve 7.5 Percent Fee Hike

The University of Massachusetts trustees have approved a 7.5 percent increase in student fees for the next academic year.

Wednesday's action by the board will hike the average in-state undergraduate's bill by about $826 annually. Students receiving financial aid will pay less of the increase.

The fee hikes had already been endorsed by the trustees Committee on Administration and Finance.

University officials say the increased fees are needed to maintain academic standards and services in light of a $54 million budget shortfall brought on in part by the loss of nearly $38 million in federal stimulus money.

The hike is expected to close nearly half that gap, with budget cuts making up the remainder.

Nearly 30 percent of the money generated by the fee increase would go toward financial aid.