Written by Will Lewis

VSU students will soon experience a 2.5 percent increase in tuition next year.

The rise is set to approximately match the current inflation rate and follows a statement issued by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.

“In determining tuition rates for the upcoming academic year, affordability was the regents’ primary concern,” John Brown, vice chancellor for Fiscal Affairs, said in Tuesday’s press release. “Our ability to maintain a low percentage increase reflects a serious commitment by the Board to minimize the financial impact on our students.”

The tuition raise will affect 25 public schools in Georgia, and the tuition increases will range anywhere from $32 to a high $275 per semester.

VSU’s tuition will only increase $61, according to the BOR’s budget for fiscal year 2014. In-State students who took 15 hours this semester and plan to do the same next semester will notice their bill rise from $2,426 to $2,487. Out-of-State students will see a rise from $8,564 to $8,778.

The projected rise comes in a series since 2010 with VSU’s in-state tuition rising $489 from $1,998 to $2,487 in 2014.