As final preparations and holiday season anticipation continued, President Cornwell sent an email stating that a 3.9 percent tuition fee increase would go into effect for the 2025-2026 academic year.

“To continue providing the high-quality education you expect, (Rollins) must budget carefully each year,” the email said. Facilities maintenance, utilities, and compensation for faculty and staff were taken into consideration when making this decision.

The President emphasized that the highly anticipated East End Neighborhood and Tennis and Golf Center are not funded by tuition.

“Historical Tuition RatesIn the Financial Aid section of Rollins’ website, it is stated that from the 2013-2014 academic year to this academic year, tuition, room and board charges have increased between 1.5 percent and 3.9 percent each year. This information is provided to help students plan for the next four years as tuition increases are expected.

Ed Kania, Vice President of Business and Finance, explained the decision-making process to increase tuition. “We estimate our revenues from sources other than tuition and fees, which include gifts, endowment proceeds, and income from commercial properties. We analyze our principal expenses, which include staff and faculty compensation, utilities, and property insurance, as well as the estimated costs of maintaining high-quality student services.

Kania explained the different parts of the process, which include evaluating the reallocation of budgets and investigating the need for additional revenue in certain areas. The final part of the process includes a Board of Trustees meeting to review and approve tuition and fee recommendations.

Every stage of the process is taken into account when deciding where and by how much to increase tuition. The college prepares a budget each academic year and determines what and where more funding is needed.

Many students have opinions and concerns about this increase. Avery Parish (’27) said: “I am able to attend Rollins College because of the grants and scholarships they gave me. “I didn’t think I would go to Rollins because of the amount of money, but I was pleasantly surprised.”

Some students need grants and scholarships to attend Rollins. Scholarships offered in acceptance letters are fixed and do not change regardless of price increases. On the other hand, grants are not fixed and change every year with the FAFSA. The Financial Aid office reviews need-based aid each year and adjusts it accordingly.

“FASFA comes out earlier (Dec. 1) and if we wait until the spring, incoming and returning students will not be given enough time to figure this out,” said Director of Financial Aid Steve Booker, when asked why this change was decided now. determine affordability and speak with the financial aid office before making any decisions.

Aid offers will be sent to students after the add-drop period next semester. If FAFSA When completed in a timely manner, students will be given time to make financial decisions and ask questions to the financial aid office. To ease any student’s anxiety, Booker said: “Knowledge is power. Make an appointment to meet with a financial aid counselor, whether in person or via video chat. Parents can also participate in video chats.”

To contact the Financial Aid Advisor, call (407) 646-1863 or email [email protected]. You can also submit questions to the office using the Financial Aid Contact Form on Rollins’ website. Contact Financial Aid Advisors.