The University of Nebraska Board of Regents passed the 2024-25 budget on Thursday with a 7-2 vote, approving a $1.1 billion plan.
A significant part of the budget includes a tuition increase for students in Lincoln, Omaha, and Kearney. The rise amounts to $135 per semester for UNL students, $120 for UNO students, and $105 for UNK students. However, students receiving the Nebraska Promise scholarship, which offers free tuition, will not be affected.
The budget also allocates $1.5 million to expand the Presidential Scholars Program, targeting Nebraska’s top 50 students. These additional funds will facilitate an application process for students scoring 32 or higher on the ACT to compete for scholarships.
Additionally, the NU regents approved $11.8 million in permanent spending cuts, adding to the $30 million in cuts made over the past two years to address a budget shortfall. Interim President Chris Kabourek stated that university colleges and departments would need to reprioritize their spending to manage rising costs.
Kabourek noted that the budget provides a “clean slate” for President-elect Jeffrey Gold, who will begin his new role on July 1.