U of R raising tuition in fall by 3.5 per cent

Students at the University of Regina will be paying more in tuition in the fall.

Late last week, the university’s board of governors approved the 2022-23 budget, which calls for a 3.5 per cent increase to most tuition rates and fees.

Overall, the budget is forecasting revenues of $245.3 million and expenditures of $248.7 million. To address the $3.5-million shortfall, the university is reducing budgets in faculties, departments and administrative units by an average of 2.7 per cent.

“The University of Regina recognizes the financial pressures facing students and is taking action to address them,” the U of R said in a media release.

“For the first time, the university will introduce a bundling program for international students which will allow for a freeze in their tuition and fees at first-year levels as well as discounted amenities such as campus housing.”

International students pay up to three times more in tuition than domestic students. The bundling program will feature a discount in the residence fees for international students when they purchase an all-inclusive package that also bundles amenities such as a meal plan, and a Campus Store account.

The university said that, over a four-year period, the potential savings will be between $7,000 and $20,000 for a qualifying student depending on their program and the type of housing selected.

The school noted there was “a notable decline” in international student enrolments in the 2021-22 year because of international travel restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. But there also was a significant decline in enrolments from Canadian students.

“This led to a reduction in tuition revenue as well as in ancillary revenues such as on-campus housing, food services, and parking that will extend into the next fiscal year,” the university’s release said.

The school expects to return to a balanced budget by 2024-25.