The University of Akron will refund students an estimated $4.1 million for a facilities fee increase that was found by state officials to be above the allowed fee cap.
Part of the university's 2015-2016 budget changes included $10 million of planned fee increases, including a facilities fee which is used to pay debt service charges on bonds that have been issued for construction of student facilities on Akron's main campus.
Prior to the 2015-2016 budget change, the fee was $18.55 per credit hour per semester, up to 12 credit hours. That was increased to $28.50 per credit hour per semester, up to 12 credit hours.
But state officials reviewing the budget determined that the facilities fee is a 'general fee' and is subject to a fee cap that was enacted last year.
Now the school will refund the fee increase to all affected students by the end of the current semester.
The refund amount will depend on the number of credit hours each student registered for. The maximum refund a student could receive is $238.80.
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