By JUSTIN AVERTTE / News Editor

MONTEVALLO – Students at the University of Montevallo will pay almost $300 more for their education this year than last.

The university’s board of trustees voted to raise tuition by five percent – the equivalent of $150 per semester for most students.

Carolyn Duncan, chairwoman of audit and finance committee, brought the matter before the trustees at their May 2 meeting.

“We don’t know what our state appropriation will be yet, but we believe it certainly will not be what we received last year,” said Duncan. “It is with great reluctance that we recommend a tuition increase of 5 percent.”

The board unanimously approved the increase, saying questionable financial support from the state left few choices to generate funds.

“I haven’t heard too much about what tuition increases will be at other schools, but at least our increase is not in the double-digit range,” said George Walker, board chairman. “I believe our increase is not as bad as some others.”

The board also approved a 3 percent increase in housing and a 4 percent increase in board.

Students say they just have the grin and bear the increases.

“Every tuition increase means that my classmates, and I have to sacrifice even more to graduate from college, if we can afford to graduate at all,” said student trustee Laura Morgan. “I’m just thankful that our tuition is only going up 5 percent, unlike the double-digit increases that other state colleges are seeing.”

A semester hour at UM will now cost $205 for in-state students. Out-of-state students will pay $390 per credit hour