The University of Arizona, in collaboration with Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University, has submitted proposals for tuition and fee adjustments to the Arizona Board of Regents. Dr. Robert C. Robbins, President of the University of Arizona, has emphasized a commitment to maintaining financial stability for students by ensuring that 99% of continuing undergraduate students will not see an increase in tuition or mandatory fees for the upcoming academic year, thanks to their participation in the tuition guarantee program.

A notable change in the University of Arizona’s proposal is the consolidation of existing mandatory fees into a new "student engagement fee" for undergraduates. This restructured fee aims to streamline payments and enhance resource allocation for student services and engagement activities. For graduate students, the proposal suggests integrating all fees into the overall tuition cost, simplifying the payment process and potentially lowering the financial burden on these students.

Jeremy Bernick, President of the Graduate Professional Student Council at the University of Arizona, has voiced support for these changes, highlighting the benefits of fee integration for graduate students’ financial ease and access to education.

Despite these broader integrations, Dr. Robbins proposes to keep the Arizona Financial Aid Trust fee separate from the new student engagement fee and graduate tuition. This separation is designed to preserve the financial aid system’s integrity and ensure that funds continue to directly support students in need.

The proposal also outlines modest tuition increases for resident undergraduate students, deemed necessary to sustain the university's quality of education and student services. Furthermore, the proposal considers tuition adjustments for professional programs such as the College of Medicine, the College of Veterinary Services, and the J.D. Program at the James E. Rogers College of Law, aligning fees with the specific needs and costs of these high-caliber educational offerings.

These proposals reflect the University of Arizona's dedication to balancing affordability with the need to maintain high educational standards. The Arizona Board of Regents will review these proposals in the coming months, with their decisions critical in setting future tuition and fee structures that will impact the accessibility and affordability of higher education at these institutions.