<p>[Orlando</a> Sentinel - UF, FSU students will see 6 percent to 15 percent tuition hikes this fall by](<a href=“http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_education_edblog/2008/06/uf-students-wil.html]Orlando”>http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_education_edblog/2008/06/uf-students-wil.html)
The Orlando Sentinel is saying ALL Florida State University undergraduates will pay 6 percent higher tuition this fall, but NEW students will see a 15 percent hike (tuition differential) instead because of a recently passed state law. The article says Legislation passed last year allows UF and FSU to eventually charge a tuition differential of up to 40 percent of base tuition and the University of South Florida to charge up to 30 percent. But it could take years to get to those levels, since each school is limited to total tuition increases of 15 percent.</p>
<p>The 6 percent hike is covered by the state’s Bright Futures merit scholarship, but the premium is not. Students on a prepaid tuition plan are exempt from the fee if the plan was bought before July 1, 2007. Students without the exemption have to pay the fee out of pocket. For future students, a supplemental prepaid tuition plan is available that can cover the tuition differential fee. Schools are allowed to waive the premium for students who meet certain family income requirements.</p>