Western To Offer In-State Tuition Rates To Out-Of-State Commuters

DANBURY — Starting in the fall, out-of-state students in graduate education programs at Western Connecticut State University will have their full-time tuition bills cut in half — paying the same tuition rates as their Connecticut classmates.

The Board of Regents for Higher Education on January 26 approved the pilot program that will be offered to students regardless of their state of residency. The tuition benefit covers master of science in education, master of science in music education, master of science in counseling education and master of arts in teaching secondary education programs. the new rates will be in effect beginning in fall 2012.

WCSU President James W. Schmotter said the program hopefully will attract more students from New York as Danbury borders the state line. Western has made curricular changes in some of the programs to conform to New York regulations.

“We intend, through this pilot program, to demonstrate that graduate students in education who live west of the New York State line are indeed welcome here at Western and that we want to do what we can to address educational needs throughout our immediate region,” Dr Schmotter said.

“It is essential to increase access and opportunity to higher education,” WCSU Provost Dr Jane McBride Gates said. “The approval of in-state tuition rates for out-of-state graduate students provides an innovative opportunity to increase enrollment and degree completion. Finances often determine whether or not somebody graduates. We want to help every student succeed in completing their educational goals.”

Western’s campuses are within a few miles of the New York State line, forcing potential students who are within easy commuting distance to pay higher out-of-state tuition rates if they were to attend the university. Beginning in the fall, the full-time tuition and fees for New York residents will decrease from $20,902 per year to $5,471. Part-time tuition rates will be lowered by $6 per credit hour.

For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at 203-837-8486.