Part-time students at Syracuse University will see a drop in their tuition rates moving forward.

University College reduced tuition rates, previously $879 per credit hour, will now be $695 per credit hour. UC offers classes for part-time enrolled students who want to finish a degree, credentials or certificate from most of the schools and colleges on SU’s campus.  

Students at the college often work full-time jobs during the day and take classes between working hours, said UC Dean Michael Frasciello.

People who take UC courses earn an average of six credits per semester. Frasciello said UC students juggling jobs with their education will have more support covering expenses such as child care and transport with the reduced tuition.

“Part-time students, if they’re traveling to take classes during the day or coming in the evenings, in many cases they are paying for child care, parking on and off campus,” Frasciello said. “By reducing the part-time tuition rate, we are reducing the financial burden on the non-traditional student population that in many cases struggles to complete a degree.”

Many older adults finishing a degree typically do not receive financial aid and rely on private loans, he added.

While UC is decreasing tuition costs for students, the college also plans to add at least two more Bachelor’s degree programs over the next three years. The college will also offer additional online eight-week long courses. Frasciello said implementing new programs does not affect the tuition cost.

Frasciello added that while the tuition cost is decreasing, what UC did is reset the tuition. The college decided to reset the cost per credit to a price that was, in past years, suitable to this group of students based on studies about part-time students. 

“By reducing part-time tuition rate, we are eliminating some financial barriers to the university and, at the same time, improving access to the campus,” he said. 

This past summer, UC started to match tuition funds equal to the tuition that the Department of Defense covers through the tuition assistance program for active duty military students admitted to an online undergraduate program.  

The military tuition assistance program is a benefit for members of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. Each service pays tuition expenses for eligible members up to a certain amount, which varies by military service and changes every year.  

UC also offers a tuition assistance coverage for members of the New York State Air National Guard. Students who are admitted to an online undergraduate program at SU will pay a cost equivalent to the Recruitment Incentive and Retention Program.

RIRP is a New York State program implemented to retain members of state military forces, such as the Air National Guard, and pays tuition for those who attend State University of New York schools up to a certain amount.  

“We did determine that we should extend it to New York State Air National Guard because SU prioritizes making the university accessible to student populations who cannot be here full-time,” Frasciello said. “The university is also committed to being the number one school for veteran and military connected students.”

Published on August 25, 2019 at 9:17 pm

Contact Richard: rjchang@syr.edu | @RichardJChang1