Starting the academic year 2003-04, the University of Bridgeport will increase its cost of attendance. The undergraduate program cost for full time student will have rise about $1,400; the graduate programs, including Naturopathic and Chiropractic programs, will increase by about $900. The cost of a credit for undergraduate part time will be $462, an increase of 9% from the last academic year.These rises in cost of attendance are caused in part by the increase of the amount of money necessary to run the University. In response to today’s economy, the University of Bridgeport is planning to raise salary of faculty members so that they would meet their financial needs. In addition, it is becoming more expensive to maintain and improve the quality of our facilities, and programs. Nevertheless, the University is planning to develop and offer better services to its students.
Another major aspect of these increases is the fact that the University of Bridgeport is gradually cutting down its external financing. Being a private institute, UB runs 80% off student tuitions. The other 20% comes from grants and financing. For a couple of years now, the Professors World Peace Academy, PWPA, has been helping the University of Bridgeport to get back on its feet by supplying most of it operating subsidy. Over the year, as the economic statues of UB improves, the PWPA support is been reduced. Thus, UB depends more on the tuition funds.
Student should not be alarmed by these rises. The financial aid of UB is well organized to provide support to any student in need. More scholarships are available, and assistance is available to each student according to their necessity.
There is almost no point in transferring to save money. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, there is a general reduction of fund allocated to public school in the US. In Connecticut, a 5% reduction, which is approximately $9.6 millions, lead the Connecticut State University System trustees to approve a 14.5 percent ($335) tuition increase for resident undergraduate students for 2003-2004. Under the plan approved by trustees, total costs for on-campus resident students would increase between $892 and $1,080, depending on the campus. It seems like being a student will cost more, as well as living expenses, in the US. One will just have to do his/her best to accommodate to the situation.