UMass Panel Votes To Freeze Tuition And Fees

A University of Massachusetts panel has approved a freeze on tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduate students for the 2014-15 academic year.

The unanimous vote Wednesday by the UMass Board of Trustees' finance committee likely paves the way for a second consecutive year without tuition increases for most undergrads at the Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth and Lowell campuses.

The freeze was made possible by the proposed state budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. University officials said both the House and Senate versions of the budget include sufficient funding to avoid hiking student costs.

Officials say the cost of attending the flagship Amherst campus in the 2014-2015 academic year would be $24,215, including room and board.

The full board of trustees will vote on the plan next week.