Saint Louis University tuition will increase by 6.8 percent for undergraduate students, bringing the total cost of a full-time education to $18,400. This increase from the current $17,230 will take effect beginning for the 2000-2001 summer term.

Students in the graduate and professional schools will face increases in tuition as well. Tuition for full-time law students will rise from $20,130 to $21,540, an increase of 7 percent. Medical students will see a 5 percent increase from $29,930 to $31,430. Tuition for graduate students will be $600 per credit hour, up from $570.

According to Director of Financial Aid Hal Deuser, room and board rates will also increase percent by 4 percent.

The 6.8 percent undergraduate tuition increase marks a slight decrease from last year’s 7 percent increase. This year’s increase also continues the trend of steadily rising costs that began in the mid-1980s.

“Because of the nature of the University . the cost of education keeps getting more expensive,” Deuser said. “We are concerned with keeping [education] affordable.”

Deuser said that, from the undergraduate perspective, one of the effects of raising tuition will be a $4.6 million increase to the undergraduate student aid budget, which is currently at $31.6 million. “We have made cost increases, but the increase in the financial aid is there to help all students.”

Last year’s tuition increase was a result of expanding academic programs and capital improvements across campus. University officials could not be reached for comment on how else the additional money from the 6.8 percent tuition increase will be allocated.

In addition to the increase in tuition, the University budget will allow for 9 percent more money for scholarships, or an increase from $53.2 million this year to $58 million. Thirty full-tuition scholarships for incoming freshman in the fall of 2000 will be available, an increase from the 10 awarded to this year’s freshman class.

Deuser said that he understands why students would be concerned about and oppose tuition increases. Such increases, he added, are intended to help the University attract the best faculty and provide the best facilities to students.

Some SLU students offered their opinions the tuition increase.

“I expect more for my money now with the University raising the tuition,” said biology major Erin Thomas. “Tuition is high enough already . I don’t know if they know what students go through with their money.”

Freshman Shariq Naseem said that as an international student-and thus ineligible for federal work-study-the tuition increase will only make paying for an education more burdensome. “It’s too much,” Naseem said.

“I would like to see them giving aid to international students. It’s very difficult to apply for a job, and even then you don’t always make much.”

Deuser strongly encouraged students who have any questions about financial aid to take advantage of the services provided by the financial aid office and to direct any concerns to him and his staff.

Student Government President Jay Perry was the “one lone voice in a room of vice presidents” who opposed the tuition increase, he hopes that students ask why increases occur yearly and call for change.

“I hope that students demand to know where [the money] goes,” Perry said.

He added that the SGA will address the situation at the next senate meeting.

According to the National College Board, an organization of educational institutions that aims to increase a student’s access to higher education, the rate of growth in the cost of a college education is slowing nationally.

Officials reported last fall that the average tuition at a four-year college rose 4.7 percent during the 1999-2000 academic year.