The Board of Regents for Higher Education has voted to increase tuition and fees on student next year.  Wilton State Senator Toni Boucher, a member of the higher education committee, says she is extremely disappointed that the Board would approve a nearly 11-percent increase in tuition and fees on students.

Boucher called the costs a huge burden.  She says during this still difficult economic period, the state should refocus its priorities.  She would like to see money invested in training the future workforce.  She cited figures that show Connecticut is losing its 18-to-30 year old population at the fastest rate of any state in the country.

Boucher called it unconscionable to ask hardworking students and parents to pay more during one of the most challenging economic periods since the Great Depression.

The increases would affect students at 12 community colleges, Charter Oak State College and students attending the Western, Central, Southern and Eastern Connecticut State Universities.

For in-state students living on-campus at universities, tuition and fees increase next year by 4.1 percent.  In-state tuition at Charter Oak State College was increased by $13 per credit, to $258, and fees increased $9 per semester to $180.  Community colleges will charge 5.25 percent more.

The board's finance committee recommended the increases last week.

Schools must set aside 15 percent of tuition for financial aid, so more will be available.