All University System of Georgia students will pay the same tuition for the 2016-2017 academic year as the current 2015-2016 academic year tuition rates for each USG institution.

The Board of Regents approved plans announced earlier this year for no tuition increases.

“We are committed to making college affordable for Georgians,” said Chancellor Hank Huckaby. “As part of our commitment, we are pleased to announce the Board of Regents has unanimously voted for a zero percent tuition increase for all USG institutions for the 2016-2017 academic year.”

Additionally, the Board approved a 20 percent decrease in the cost of eMajor credit hours for the 2016-2017 academic year, from $250 per credit hour to $199 per credit hour. The USG’s eMajor initiative allows students to enroll and to complete specific associate’s and bachelor’s degrees through on-line learning programs. This decrease in certain on-line course tuition is another step the Board is taking to reduce the cost of online education and further support students in earning their degrees.

The University System already provides free, open-source, on-line e-textbooks through the Affordable Learning Georgia initiative, which is estimated to save USG students more than $15 million in the current academic year.

“The Board’s action today demonstrates the importance the University System places on providing quality, public higher education, while keeping costs down for students and their families,” said Shelley Nickel, Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Affairs and Planning.

Georgia’s University System remains ranked the seventh lowest in tuition and fees, for four-year institutions, out of the 16 states that make up the Southern Regional Education Board.