University of California students might pay less in tuition for the first time in almost 20 years.
On Thursday, UC regents are scheduled to vote on a $8.7-billion spending plan for the 2018-19 school year, which includes a $60 tuition decrease. By eliminating a surcharge added in 2007 to pay for lawsuit costs, the proposal would reduce base tuition and students services fees to $12,570 annually.
This follows months of student, faculty and regent lobbying for more state funding to avoid a 2.5 percent tuition hike. The state budget increases the UC system’s funding by $347 million, including $98.1 million in ongoing support and $248.8 million in a one-time contribution.
The temporary $60 surcharge removal isn’t a direct result of the student lobbying. Instead, the tuition decreased because the university paid off the costs of two class-action lawsuits. That money came from a surcharge assessed to most students.
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