The Board of Trustees will soon consider a 2.5 percent tuition and fee increase for next school year, as part of their considerations for next year’s operating budget. 

Without scholarships and aid, 2018-2019 tuition could cost students over $12,000. According to a release from UK President Eli Capilouto, first-year, in-state students would pay $6,035 in fall 2018 and $6,180 in spring 2019 if the increase is approved. 

This would be the smallest tuition and fee increase in 20 years, the release said. The 2017-2018 budget included a 4 percent tuition increase for in-state students.

According to the Herald-Leader, tuition has increased by about 105 percent since 2005. These increases have come in the face of decreases to UK’s state funding. Lawmakers in Frankfort have cut $70 million in funding since 2008.

The board will vote on the $3.9 bilion proposed budget, which includes the tuition increases, at their June 22 meeting. 

The proposed budget also includes:

• A 1.5 percent salary increase for UK faculty and staff
• $118 million increase in UK HealthCare’s annual budget, bringing it up to $1.712 billion
• $5.9 million increase in UK Athletics’ budget, raising it to $150.9 million
• No $14 mandatory athletics fee for students