THE UNIVERSITY will charge a four-percent tuition increase on college freshmen for Academic Year (AY) 2024 to 2025.
The tuition per unit for first-year students was hiked to P1,959 from P1,884 in the previous academic year, based on the Varsitarian’s comparison of the current and previous tables of fees.
The hike was in step with the 3.9 percent consumer inflation recorded by the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2023.
In the Faculty of Engineering, which had the highest enrollment turnout last year, the full-load freshmen tuition was increased to P43,098 from P41,448, excluding miscellaneous and other fees.
In the Faculty of Arts and Letters, which had the highest number of first-year enrollees last year, the full-load tuition for freshmen now ranges from P29,385, P35,262, to P41,139. Last year, freshmen paid P28,260, P33,912, or P39,564, depending on their program.
While schools are generally required to conduct consultations with the student government, faculty, alumni, and non-teaching staff before implementing fee increases, this requirement is waived when the hike applies only to freshmen tuition and other fees.
Because of the so-called “sliding effect,” there will be no increase in tuition and most fees for students in higher year levels when compared with the rates they were charged last year.
The Varsitarian has learned that local student councils had begun constituency checks to discuss the new table of fees.
Outgoing Central Student Council officers were reportedly told by administrators that there would be no tuition increase this year.
UST had proposed a 7-percent increase for AY 2023 to 2024 but reduced it to six percent after facing opposition from student leaders who criticized the “rushed” consultation process.
READ MORE: UST proposes 7% tuition hike; student leaders unhappy with ‘rushed’ consultation
Infra dev’t, guidance fees
Apart from tuition, a few miscellaneous and other fees will also increase in AY 2024 to 2025.
The physical infrastructure development fee saw a significant 70-percent increase, rising to P1,700 from P1,000 last year.
The guidance and counseling fee also went up to P800 from P600.
Students at UST Manila were advised to settle their fees until Aug. 7. Classes will begin on Aug. 9. E.M.A. Sison and M.L.D. Beech
