Tuition and fees for 2015-16 have been approved for the University of Louisiana System’s nine colleges.

The ULS Board of Supervisors approved tuition increases for eight of its universities under the GRAD Act of 2010. The act allows schools to raise tuition based on performance goals. A 10 percent increase was approved for UL Lafayette.

In addition, seven universities were approved for fee increases under Act 377 that was signed July 1. A new general and auxiliary fee of $28.58 per credit hour was approved for UL Lafayette.

The new tuition and fee rate will begin for the fall 2015 semester. An undergraduate resident who is enrolled for 12 credit hours during the fall, for example, will pay $4,128 instead of $3,436.

The changes move UL Lafayette closer to the Southern Regional Education Board average for tuition and fees. The increase brings UL Lafayette in line with rates at Louisiana Tech University and the University of New Orleans, its peer institutions in the state.

Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president, said the University will remain affordable, while growing its reputation as a top research institution.

The university will allocate 10 percent of the new fees toward financial assistance for need-based students, and also will increase merit-based scholarships.

“The University ranks as one of best in the nation at helping lower-income students earn degrees,” Savoie said. “We will continue to support all of our students.”

Some of the additional revenue will be allocated for academic resources and to grow auxiliary support, according to Dr. James Henderson, provost and vice president of academic affairs.

“These funds will help make the University’s academic core even stronger and improve the overall student experience,” Henderson said.