St. Thomas lessens tuition increase, but still exceeds cap

A tuition increase for full-time students at St. Thomas University in Fredericton has been scaled back, although it will still be higher than the provincial government'scap.

Six months ago, the liberal arts school said it would raise full-time tuition by $434 defying the province's $150cap on increases.

An agreement has now been reached, with tuition for the academic year now $250higher.

University spokesman Jeffrey Carleton says the school's financial situation was taken into consideration.

"The presidents of the other universities recognized that STU's tuition was in a unique position," he said. "The government recognized our tuition was in a unique position. It was too low for the quality of education that we delivered, so I think it made it a little easier for people to understand why we needed the additional revenue in order tomaintain the quality of our programs."

Carleton says the $250 increase means STU will reach the provincial average for tuition in five years rather than three as originally planned.

Students who hadalready paid the higher fee will have their accounts credited by $184.