Student ancillary fees for students enrolled at York will increase by two per cent starting in September.
The non-tuition fees provide direct support for activities and services in counselling, cultural and special services, as well as in sport and recreation at York.
“This nominal increase will allow us to continue providing quality services to students,” says Janet Morrison, vice-provost students. “These ancillary feels increase automatically according to the Ancillary Fee Agreement, to address inflationary increases in operating costs for areas supported through ancillary fees.”
Every student’s tuition includes levies of $9.06 to sports and recreation, $6.31 to cultural and special services, and $4.34 to counselling at York. Other ancillary fees, which are approved by student referenda, include $1.62 to the York Federation of Students, $4.39 to the Student Centre, and $0.13 to Excalibur. All of these levies are charged by credit.
With the costs of being a full-time student rising, students are becoming increasingly concerned with the costs of tuition, textbooks, and living expenses.
The average costs of tuition at York are above $6,000 per year, while international students can pay well over $19,000 every year. This is not including living expenses such a rent, or food.
“It’s tough, but I guess this is the situation that many students are in.”
“The costs of travelling to and attending York have become incredibly high,” says Victoria Jordan, a fourth-year English and education student at York. She has been living at home while working part-time as a tutor to help pay her way through her degree. “I’ve had to work throughout the summer to pay for tuition and other costs. Even though this is a small increase in my student costs, it still impacts me. Every dollar counts.”
Jordan is also concerned with the price of gas, which costs her about $100 a week to commute to and from York, as well as textbooks and food.
“It’s tough, but I guess this is the situation that many students are in. I’m just going to try and stay out of debt during my time here,” she adds.
While officials at York are aware of the rising student costs, the rise in ancillary fees is still scheduled to take effect on September 1.
“We are cognizant of the increasing cost of post-secondary education,” Morrison adds. “Students are strongly encouraged to complete the student financial profile to ensure they have access to the wide array of financial supports at York.”
For more information regarding the costs of being a student and the rise in ancillary fees, students are encouraged to visit www.sfs.yorku.ca/fees/courses/.
