Tuition seems to be spiraling upward yearly at The University of Texas at San Antonio since spring of 2008 and college affordability is a major concern for students. As tuition continues to increase, students are frantically looking for avenues to keep their tuition covered.

In spring of 2008, a Texas resident or military person paid approximately $3,338.45 as a 15-hour full-time student, while non-residents paid $7,508.45 for the same amount of hours. As for the 12-hour part-time student, he or she paid $2,843.45 as a Texas resident or military person, and a non-resident paid $6,179.

For spring of 2011, a Texas resident or military person paid approximately $3,951 as a 15-hour full-time student, while non-residents paid $8,601. As for the 12-hour part-time student, he or she paid $3,361.75 as a Texas resident or military person, and a non-resident paid $7,083.75.

Junior accounting major Jacory Brasfield says, “I’m not too fond of the increase in tuition, but I do understand that it’s something that needs to happen. As the university grows and expands, funds are needed for that expansion” Brasfield said. “I’m glad I get to be apart of something epic here at UTSA.”

The biggest fees and charges that students pay each semester are the student service fee, athletics fee, university center fee, medical services fee, recreation center fee, undergrad advising fee, tuition as a Texas resident or a non-resident, automated services charge, and the library resource charge.

While some of these fees have changed by a few dollars, other areas have increased by a few hundred dollars. A complete fees list can be found under your account summary on ASAP.

“Tuition in UTSA is at a good price as of right now compared to other school in Texas like that of UT and A&M. Some other universities just set a standard tuition cost no matter what,” freshman marketing major Ari Quinones, said. “What most freshman are concerned about is room and board, the fact that UTSA makes a freshman who wants to live on campus his/her first year buy a meal plan, which is about one-fifth of what the tuition is.” Quinones said, “Both the tuition and meal plan [should be] optional.”

“Students should fill out their FAFSA by our priority deadline of March 15 so that they are considered for the healthiest award packages that would assist in paying their tuition and fees,” Assistant Vice President of Student Financial Aid of Enrollment Services Lisa Blazer said.

“However, beyond that, we are in somewhat of a limbo period due to state proposed cut backs in grant programs (41 percent or $6 million) and possible cuts to the federal PELL Grant program to fund UTSA students in eleven-twelfths. We must wait until those decisions have been made to determine our 2011 and 2012 awards to students.”