By Randy Espares Jr.

Far Eastern University (FEU) attributed the 3 percent tuition increase for A.Y. 2023-2024 to the country’s rising inflation rate during the Tuition Fee Consultation at the FEUTure Center Auditorium earlier today, February 20.

Vice President for Academic Services (VPAS) Arch. Raquel Baquiran mentioned that the increase is in line with the inflation rate forecast of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. 

“The increases in our tuition fee is based on national inflation rate, so the inflation is not dictated by the University, but has something to do with the economy,” she said. 

The national inflation rate is expected at 6 percent for 2023. 

Additionally, Baquiran highlighted changes in the school’s miscellaneous fees during the consultation.

The biggest adjustment was marked by the school’s energy fee with a 184 pesos increase amounting to 2,300 pesos from the previous 2,116.

VPAS explained the increase due to the University’s plan to expand its internet bandwidth. 

“There’s actually a WiFi prioritization plan, and the Academic Services have already coordinated to each deans and departments on which areas ‘yung kailangan i-increase ‘yung bandwidth (needs bandwidth to be increased),” Baquiran responded during the question and answer segment. 

Further, the anti-plagiarism fee increased by 44 pesos, the computerization fee by 90 pesos, the learning management system fee by 114 pesos, and the cultural fee by 141 pesos. 

All increases in miscellaneous fees totaled 573 pesos, less than 1 percent of the total average fees. 

Moreover, Baquiran assured that there will be no increase for A.Y. 2024-2025. 

“But given that there’s a 4.5 [percent] inflation by the end of 2024 forecast, there will be no tuition fee increase for School Year 2024-2025,” she explained. 

Students from FEU Manila and Makati, institute directors, representatives from various offices, and non-teaching personnel attended the consultation to clarify their concerns. 

This is the first tuition fee increase of the University in the last three years since A.Y. 2020-2021. 

(Photo by Raph Bautista/FEU Advocate)