If the Legislature approves the 6.6 percent increase, tuition costs will have risen about 25 percent in the last 3 years. Exactly what the fee will pay for remains unclear, but officials say it will help with infrastructure costs associated with computer upgrades, such as classroom hook-ups, maintenance, new software and expanding networks. The Regents requested the fee from the Legislature at this year's session, but it was not approved. SG officials argued the fee was arbitrary and was a money- making tactic by the university. UF officials countered that it was not a general fee increase, but a way to prevent students from paying late.
Students can petition to have the late fee waived.
Of the 981 students who petitioned for late fee waivers last year, only 60 were denied. The last day to avoid paying the late fee is Friday, Sept. 5. All rights reserved. No portion of The Alligator Online may be reproduced without the written consent of an officer of Campus Communications, Inc.