Threats to research and grant funding from federal and state governments for public universities have raised UMKC students fears that there may be a tuition increase in the near future.
Race, Ethnic and Gender Studies department chair and professor Kristen Barber said that given all of the federal and local circumstances there will likely be a tuition increase.
“My understanding is that there will be a tuition increase for next year,” said Barber. “It is a system issue though, it’s not a UMKC issue, it has to be decided at a system level what tuition will look like for all four campuses.”
Sophomore Jay Lowery said that balancing bills, work and school is “already kind of tough.” Lowery is a business administration major and one of many UMKC students troubled that the current tuition rate may not be guaranteed.
“I would definitely be worried for other people in general,” said Lowery. “Imagine having to find a way to pay for your school, your bills, your utilities and your rent– it seems almost impossible.”
Some students are even having to transfer schools because of the current price of tuition, plus room and board. Freshman Chezney Wright is one of these students.
“It’s disappointing, especially as a first-generation student,” said Wright, who is a dental hygiene major. “It’s already super expensive for me to go here.”
In 2021, former Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed legislation allowing colleges and universities to raise tuition as much as they want. Since then, many universities across the state, such as Missouri State, the UM System, and KU have seen tuition increases of up to a total of 5%.
Barber said that tuition increases happen at public universities because “over the years the state provides less and less money.”
She also mentioned the possible loss of grants and research funding that is occurring under the Trump administration. “If grants are being pulled from researchers and scientists on campus, then we’re looking at potentially in a couple years a loss of millions of dollars.”
“I cannot say what anyone should expect,” said Chistopher Ave, director of media relations and public affairs for Mizzou who responded to Roo News’s inquiry on behalf of the UM System Board of Curators.
According to Ave, in the UM board meeting on April 17th, the UM System President Mun Choi said “no recommendation” will be made on increasing tuition until May. No further comment was provided.
“We will have to await the board’s debate and decision,” said Ave.
Aaron Upton, a UMKC senior majoring in earth and environmental science, said that his program is “underfunded” and that he wanted tuition to be dispersed fairly.
“Equally distribute these resources, so there’s good improvement especially in the places that need it the most,” said Upton. “Flarsheim, Haag, Royall all look like crap and the utilities are crap there too.”
Phia Baugher, also a senior in earth and environmental science, said the main reason they attend UMKC is because tuition was affordable and if it is projected to rise again they want to know how UMKC spends money.
Baugher also said they want SGA to “advocate” for more transparency on UMKC’s spending and push for more money to go to programs and not campus renovations.
“I feel like we should know [where the money is going],” said Baugher
Justice Horn, the SGA president, and his executive board have said they will stand against the administration to find other solutions if the UM System encourages more tuition increases.
“To raise tuition is the easiest thing to do and the most painful thing to students who are already struggling,” said Horn. “We have to be creative in standing firm and saying that that is not allowed while also working with the administration.”
In a follow up request for more information, UMKC Director of Strategic Communications Stacy Downs was only able to confirm that the The UM System Board of Curators has yet to approve such an increase and that UMKC doesn’t “have information to provide at this time.”
UMKC senior Yasmeen Hanon is an undergraduate research ambassador, an independent researcher with multiple fellowships, and is the eldest child of five. She is “concerned” about tuition costs rising for her siblings in the future.
“I worry that this costliness will continue to increase and make education inaccessible,” said Hanon, a double major in political science and environmental science. “I am certain that it would be harder to push aside financial worries and focus on my studies.”
![Alex Unseth [left] and Yasmen Hassen [right] speaking at the dinner.](https://kcroonews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SGA-1-1200x800.jpg)
