Tuition Differential FAQ

What is differential tuition?

How much is tuition?

How will this affect my Bright Futures Scholarship or my Florida Pre-Paid College Program?

Important Links

What is differential tuition?

In June 2007, Governor Charlie Crist signed the differential tuition bill authorizing the state’s five public research universities – the University of South Florida, the University of Florida, Florida State University, University of Central Florida and Florida International University – to charge a supplemental fee, known as differential tuition, to undergraduate students. The differential tuition fee provides the additional funding needed for research universities to continue to provide high level, competitive academic programs for undergraduates.

Students as well as the faculty need the best resources and support to realize their full intellectual potential – laboratories, libraries, academic advising, research experiences, and more.  Unfortunately, in-state tuition for Florida public universities, which is near the lowest in the nation, does not provide the resources for the infrastructure of a research university.  With recent state budget cuts, the per-student state funding for higher education has been reduced drastically while the demand for admission to the state’s universities – the top three research universities, in particular – is rapidly increasing.

What will USF do with this money?

State law requires that universities use these funds to improve the quality of undergraduate instruction and support services. The purpose of the differential tuition fee is for USF to provide high quality professors and academic advisors to enhance instruction and learning to help students stay on track for timely graduation.

When will USF start charging the differential tuition fee?

 The university will assess this fee beginning in Fall 2008. The universities were authorized by the legislature to charge differential tuition to students who enrolled beginning in the Fall 2007, but the University of South Florida delayed these charges until Fall 2008 to have the time to implement properly and communicate differential tuition fees to students. Thus, all students (including non-degree seeking) admitted or readmitted to USF for a term beginning after July 1, 2007, will pay the differential tuition fee for enrollment taken at the undergraduate level beginning with the Fall 2008 term.

What about out-of-state or international students?

All students, even those who are not Florida residents, have a portion of their tuition that is classified as Florida in-state tuition.  All Out-of-state students both degree and non-degree seeking, admitted or readmitted to USF for a term beginning after July 1, 2007, will pay the differential tuition fee for enrollment taken at the undergraduate level beginning with the Fall 2008 term.

I attend a regional campus. Will I have to pay the differential tuition fee?

It depends. The differential tuition fee is assessed only on courses that are funded by the Tampa campus.

I’m a graduate student. Will I have to pay the differential tuition fee?

It depends. The differential tuition fee will be charged to graduate students if they enroll in undergraduate courses funded by the Tampa campus.

Is tuition increasing for all students?

Yes. Undergraduate, in-state tuition and fees at all state universities will increase 6 percent beginning with the Fall 2008 semester. This applies to all undergraduates enrolled in Tampa campus courses and on the regional campuses.

Why is tuition increasing?

State funding for higher education has been cut drastically, and operational costs continue to increase. USF is committed to providing our students with the highest level of academic excellence that they expect and deserve, and a tuition increase is necessary to achieve that goal.

How much will I have to pay for the “regular” tuition increase?

Tuition is increasing $4.64 per credit hour (or 6 percent) beginning Fall 2008 for undergraduates.

How much will I have to pay for differential tuition?

The differential tuition fee will be an additional $6.96 per credit hour (or 9 percent) beginning Fall 2008 for undergraduate, in-state students.

Do these fees apply to online courses as well?

The 2008 Florida Legislature authorized universities to charge distance learning fees to recover the costs of developing and delivering distance learning courses. At USF, students enrolled in distance learning courses will pay a minimum fee that will vary by program.

So with the tuition increase and the new differential tuition fee, how much am I paying?

USF is permitted to raise undergraduate, in-state tuition by a maximum of 15 percent in any year, which must include any other authorized tuition increase. Since tuition is increasing by 6 percent for all students, the differential tuition fee for Fall 2008 is capped at 9 percent.  For in-state students who entered USF after July 1, 2007, total tuition and fees for 15 credit hours will be approximately $2,000 or approximately $133 per credit hour. Please note that this does not include additional fees such as laboratory or online access fees that may apply to certain courses.

What about Bright Futures?

Bright Futures does not cover the differential tuition fee but will continue to pay the majority of your per-credit-hour costs.  Please remember that differential tuition is a small portion of your total tuition payment to the university.  However, the additional costs of the differential tuition fee may be considered when determining your eligibility for financial aid.

I have a Florida Pre-Paid College Program. Will I have to pay differential tuition?

No. Florida Pre-Paid College Programs purchased prior to January 31, 2007 will cover the differential tuition fee. Florida Pre-Paid has introduced a new differential tuition plan that can be purchased for students aspiring to attend USF, UF, FSU, UCF or FIU.

Important Links

USF Controllers Office – http://usfweb.usf.edu/controller 

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program – www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ssfad/bf

Florida Prepaid College Plan – http://www.myfloridaprepaid.com/index.asp

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