2009–10 Tuition Update: An Investment in Our Students
More details on the plan are coming in March. Until then, take a look at this announcement from SPU President Philip Eaton and let us know any questions you have.
Dear SPU Undergraduate Students,
Greetings to you during what I am sure is a busy Winter Quarter. I trust you are doing well in the midst of this scattered snow and rain and of course the demands of mid-term exams and papers. We are all waiting for some glimpse of spring, aren’t we?
I have a very important message for you today — an early announcement of our tuition price for next year. We are making this announcement early this year so that you might be able to begin planning ahead. In early March, following the winter meeting of the Board of Trustees, I will provide more detailed information about the University’s budget for next year. At the moment we are deep into the final work on the budget. I want you to be fully informed.
A Historic Low Rate
I am very pleased to report a historically low tuition-rate increase for 2009–10. Tuition will increase only by 3.75 percent, or $993. And with very modest increases in room and board — and no increase in ASSP and technology fees — the overall increase is 3.07 percent, or $1,083.Here are the numbers for 2009–10:
| Tuition | $27,450 |
| ASSP & Technology Fees (mandatory) | $360 |
| Room and Board | $8,544 |
| Total | $36,354 |
Our Pledge to You
This has been an extraordinary year for our students and families, and for our faculty and staff, as we have all watched the impact of this turbulent economy. Perhaps most concerning to our families is the loss of jobs across industries and across the country. These are difficult and uncertain times, to be sure, but I want to assure you that Seattle Pacific is taking every opportunity to help you successfully complete your education. We have assisted hundreds of families this year with additional financial aid because their financial circumstances changed and they qualified for more aid. We want to lock arms with you as you continue your life and studies in this wonderful community we call SPU.Our Three Goals
I want you to know that in all of our budget planning we have had three main goals:- Student support. Our focus is on our students. We know that you and your families may face uncertain circumstances, and so that’s why you will find this historically low tuition-rate increase and significant increases in the financial aid budget. We get it.
- High-quality education. We seek in every way to maintain the high-quality education you have come to expect from Seattle Pacific. We are, indeed, a premier, Christian university, clearly one of the best in the country. While we have had to hold down our costs — from salary increases to many other costs of doing the business of the University — nevertheless, we will continue to focus on the high quality of your education.
- Strong financial reserves. We must also focus, in these uncertain times, on building strong financial reserves. We must be prepared for any changes the economy might bring our way.
Extraordinary Support
Indeed these are extraordinary times and we have taken extraordinary measures to ensure that our students are able to continue their education at Seattle Pacific and that the education you receive is among the best you will find anywhere.I hope you will seek out your faculty advisor and our financial aid staff if you have questions about either your academic program or financial aid. They stand ready to help you. Our goal is to see you graduate from Seattle Pacific University. That, of course, is the heart of our mission.
May God bless you in the days ahead. May God bless our great University. Thank you for being our students. I am very proud of you, and wish you all the best as you continue to live and study in our midst.
And may the spring sunshine peek through and shine on us all very soon!
Philip W. Eaton
President
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