UF raises fees for out-of-state students; trustees seek interim president

[Photo courtesy University of Florida]

The University of Florida Board of Trustees on July 23 approved increasing costs for out-of-state students during the upcoming academic year.

Trustees unanimously approved 10 percent increases in fees that are charged to out-of-state students on top of the tuition charged to all students. The increases will not affect students who are Florida residents.

Wednesday’s decision came after the state university system’s Board of Governors last month approved allowing universities to increase out-of-state student fees. The UF board approved a suggestion by Chairman Mori Hosseini that will allow returning out-of-state students to seek a one-year waiver of the increased charges if they can show “significant financial hardship.”

UF officials said they have not increased such fees in more than a decade, but Hosseini and Interim Chief Financial Officer Nick Kozlov said the university faces an overall potential $130 million budget shortfall.

The Florida State University Board of Trustees also is scheduled to consider a 10 percent increase in fees for out-of-state students.

Also on July 23, during the board meeting, Hosseini told those gathered that the trustees are looking for an interim president before they will start a renewed search for a more-permanent president.

Hosseini offered little detail, but the comments came after the state university system’s Board of Governors on June 3 rejected the trustees’ selection of former University of Michigan President Santa Ono to become UF president.

Former UF President Kent Fuchs stepped in as interim president on Aug. 1, 2024, after the resignation of then-President Ben Sasse. An employment agreement said Fuchs would serve as interim president for up to one year.