The University of Arizona has proposed a 2 percent increase in tuition for all new-to-campus resident undergraduate students and 1 percent increase in tuition for nonresident students, with no increase in mandatory fees. The majority of current UA undergraduate students – 99 percent – will see no increase because their tuition and fees previously were frozen under the university's Guaranteed Tuition Program.

The increase is needed to fund priority initiatives under the university's new strategic plan and increases in external costs. The tuition proposal is the result of collaborative work among university leaders and representatives of the undergraduate student government and graduate student council.

"The tuition proposal will help address the strategic priorities of the campus community, specifically better student outcomes in graduation and career readiness," said UA President Robert C. Robbins. "This is an investment that will directly benefit current and incoming students."

In summary:

• Undergraduate guaranteed resident tuition will increase 2 percent.
• Undergraduate guaranteed nonresident tuition will increase 1 percent.
• Graduate resident tuition will increase 1.89 percent at the Tucson campus, and 1.59 percent at the UA South campus. This equates to the same dollar increase as undergraduate resident tuition at those locations.
• Graduate nonresident tuition will not increase for the 2019-20 academic year.
• There is no increase in mandatory fees, with the exception of the Recreation Center Program fee, which increases annually based on the Consumer Price Index, and the Arizona Financial Aid Trust fee, which increases based on an approved tuition increase.

Incoming resident undergraduate students on the main campus will pay $12,671 and new nonresident undergraduate students will pay $36,698. Students and their families have said the Guaranteed Tuition Plan encourages on-time graduation and helps with financial planning and college completion.

Resident graduate students on the main campus will pay $13,207 and nonresident graduate students will pay $33,334.

The UA tuition proposal process includes the student leaders of the undergraduate and graduate student governments working over several months with the provost, chief financial officer and the chief budget officer.

"The discussion between the university and the student leaders was constructive and the proposed increase will fund several strategic initiatives to help students," said Natalynn Masters, UA student body president.

Marie Teemant, Graduate and Professional Student Council chair, said plans for the coming year include a review of graduate student fees and the possibility of a guaranteed tuition plan for doctoral students.

"A guaranteed tuition plan for doctoral students would help the students plan better and also would help research grant proposals accurately fund student support," Teemant said

The Arizona Board of Regents has scheduled a livestreamed public hearing for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, to discuss the tuition recommendations made by the three state universities. The UA main campus site will be in Old Main and the UA South at Sierra Vista site will be in the Academic Technology Building, B153.

On Thursday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Arizona Board of Regents will host a tuition workshop where the university presidents will present their proposals in person. The meeting will be held at the Arizona State University Memorial Union and will be livestreamed.

On Thursday, April 11, the Arizona Board of Regents will vote on tuition and fees at its meeting in Tucson. The meeting will be livestreamed.