BOSTON — The University of Massachusetts Board of Trustees voted Monday to freeze tuition rates for in-state undergraduate and graduate students for the 2020-21 academic year.
The President of UMass proposed the tuition freeze for all in-state students in May.
Across the Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, and Lowell campuses, tuition will average just under $15,000 for the nearly 48,000 in-state undergraduate students.
“Even as UMass, like higher education institutions across the country, faces significant budget cuts due to pandemic-related financial challenges, we need to do all that we can to keep a high quality UMass education within financial reach of Massachusetts students,” UMass Board of Trustees Chairman Rob Manning said. “I commend President Meehan, the campus chancellors and their teams for making this possible through sound and innovative management.”
Students will still be eligible to receive federal, state, private, and university-funded financial aid next year. According to a release, university-funded financial aid has been increased by $99 million over the last five years.
“Holding the line on tuition is simply the right thing to do this year as so many students and families are facing stress and uncertainty created by an unprecedented national health emergency and economic downturn,” UMass President Marty Meehan said. “That means controlling student charges and supporting financial aid so our students are able to pursue their dream of earning a UMass degree.‘'
UMass trustees today also approved a $3.3 billion operating budget that is $171 million less than last year’s budget.
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