KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Western Michigan University has decided to not raise prices for students next year to address the financial uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
The university’s board of trustees voted on Thursday to approve the rate freeze for both tuition and lodging costs for the 2020-21 academic school year.
School administrators made the recommendations, saying that keeping costs stable would be beneficial for existing and incoming students. The extended rates apply to on-campus students, as well as those taking online classes and attending regional WMU facilities.
“At this time of financial uncertainty, we are recommending no increase to undergraduate and graduate tuition rates and required fees effective Fall 2020,” said a recommendation statement in the board of trustee’s meeting agenda.
“The recommendation is for the main campus, regional sites, and online tuition rates. This will provide a level of stability to help students and their families plan for the year ahead and relieve financial pressures from the effects of COVID-19.”
This marks the first time in recent years that fees will remain the same, with the university raising tuition on average by 2-3% during the past decade.
Tuition will continue to be set at just over $13,000 for in-state, full-time undergraduates.
Western Michigan University decided in late March to suspend all in-person classes for the remainder of the winter semester, with courses being completed through remote and online learning. Officials later announced that the first round of summer classes will also be moved online.
All dining and on-campus activities have been shut down, with students living on-campus required to move out of residence halls unless they face extenuating circumstances.
Michigan State University and Central Michigan University have announced that tuition rates will be frozen during the upcoming fall to help students and families negatively impacted by the outbreak.
