No Tuition Hike at EFSC for Eighth Straight Year

There will be no tuition increase for students at Eastern Florida State College for the eighth straight year, keeping the college among the most affordable in the state and nation.

That is the main feature in EFSC’s 2019-20 fiscal year budget, which the college’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved Monday.

“We’re doing exactly what we’re supposed to be doing by keeping tuition low and giving students great educational opportunities,” said Ron Howse, the board’s vice chair.

The $78 million plan goes into effect July 1.

“Taken as a whole, the budget continues to prioritize our faculty, staff and students along with our community in ways that will keep us on the road to success for years to come,” said college President Dr. Jim Richey.

Key elements of the budget include:

• No tuition or per credit fee increase for the eighth straight year, a period that corresponds with the time that Richey has been Eastern Florida’s president.

“Holding the line on tuition makes it more likely that students will be able to take the courses they need to graduate and begin their careers. That remains my top priority,” said Richey.

The total for tuition and general fees will remain $104 per credit hour for lower division courses for Florida residents, which is in line with other state colleges in Central Florida.

The per credit hour charge for upper division courses for Florida residents will remain $128.51, which is similar to other institutions in the 28-member Florida College System of which Eastern Florida is a member.

• The basic annual salary for full-time faculty members of the United Faculty of Florida EFSC Chapter will increase $1,250 in the second year of a three-year collective bargaining agreement.

“Our faculty are outstanding professionals dedicated to student success, and are a tremendous asset to both the college and our entire Space Coast community,” said Richey.

• The college will pay an increase in health and dental insurance premiums for all full-time employees with no additional contributions from them.

That will save employees $9,300 a year, “a very significant benefit that many other employers simply do not provide, and an amount generous in comparison to other colleges in the Florida College System,” said Richey.

• Fully-funds all college programs, including the more than 60 new programs started the past six years, including nearly 25 Bachelor Degree tracks.

• Invests $15.5 million in projects, including upgrading the college’s technology infrastructure and improvements to classrooms and other facilities.