STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- In an unprecedented move, St. John's University will slash undergraduate tuition at its Grymes Hill campus by more than $10,000 for the 2015-2016 academic year, and freeze room and board costs and fees, the University announced.

For students at the Staten Island campus, the University will reduce undergraduate tuition by $10,370 for all full-time students, including incoming freshmen.

Tuition for the 2015-2016 academic year will be $27,500 -- a rate last seen in 2007-2008.

The tuition rollback is unprecedented in the University's 147-year history, and bucks the trend among major private colleges and universities in the region, according to the College Board, which tracks tuition costs and afforabilty.

"We're rolling back the clock," said Dr. James (Jim) O'Keefe, University vice-provost and chief academic officer for the Staten Island campus.

REFLECTS CONCERNS

"We listened to parents and students in the community, who told us they were most concerned about rising tuition costs and rising college debt," he said.

As the Advance reported in its special series on how Staten Islanders are making ends meet, rising tuition costs at private colleges are straining local families. Concerned about being saddled with student loan debt, families are shopping around for colleges offering the best bang for their buck.

The University has also called off a planned 3 percent tuition hike for its main campus in Queens, and its other locations in Manhattan, Long Island, and abroad in Rome and Paris.

"St. John's is aware of the significant financial challenges facing college students and their families. We are taking this action in an effort to help alleviate those burdens," said University President Dr. Conrado (Bobby) Gempesaw, who took over the private Catholic university in July as its first lay president.

"It is our sincere hope that this initiative will provide students who otherwise would not be able to afford college the opportunity to realize that dream at St. John's University," he said.

ROOM AND BOARD FROZEN TOO

Additionally, the university has frozen room and board costs at the Island campus, which average about $8,000 a year.

According to Dr. O'Keefe, about 180 students -- out of a total undergraduate enrollment of just under 1,000 -- are resident students, with some coming from as far away as Puerto Rico,Texas, Florida and California.

"Everyone wants to come to New York to study and here they get the best of both worlds with small classes and a hometown feel on campus, yet they're minutes from Manhattan," he noted. "And now this will hopefully put more money in their pocket."

The new tuition rate will also not affect student financial aid, Dr. O'Keefe said. About 96 percent of students receive some form of financial aid.

Graduate tuition at the Staten Island campus will remain at current levels.

The new tuition rate for the Island campus reflects the fact that it is a satellite to the University's main campus in Queens, and some students must travel to the Queens campus to fulfill specialty courses in their major, Dr. O'Keefe said

Accordingly, tuition at the Queens campus, as well as the University's Manhattan location and overseas locations in Rome and Paris, will remain at the current rate of $37,870 for the coming academic year.

The University hasn't decided whether tuition rates will be raised in 2016-2017, but Dr. O'Keefe said any tuition hike would be based on the new lower rate.

"NOT A GIMMICK"

"This is not a one-time, one-year gimmick," he said.

In previous years, tuition has gone up 2 to 3 percent a year.

St. John's is in the process of notifying students and families, including prospective freshmen, of its new tuition policy. The new rate is in effect beginning with the 2015 pre-summer session in May.

It's not the first time the University has responded to community concerns over rising tuition costs. In 2010 the University unveiled an accelerated program at its Grymes Hill campus in which students can earn a four-year undergraduate degree in a year's less time, saving a year of tuition.

According to the University, the new tuition rate for Staten Island will also apply to students currently enrolled in the three-year program, as well as incoming freshmen -- potentially doubling the amount they can shave off their tuition costs.

STUDENTS EXPRESS RELIEF

Students on campus Friday reacted to the news with relief.

"I was relieved when I first heard about it; the biggest stress that college students have comes from finance," said Angela Dama, 19, of Richmond.



"It's a big opportunity for the school to broaden its pool of incoming students, and a new realm for students who feel St. John's is out of their financial reach," said Julio Bedolla, 20, a resident student from Los Angeles.



Vito Nicassio, 21, of Dongan Hills, said he had heard about the tuition cut, and although he expects to graduate in May, he said the lower rate will benefit current and future students.

"I'm glad students get a chance at higher education for a lowered price; I just wish this would've happened when I was a freshman," he added.

Nicassio also mentioned that most students are still skeptical of the rollback and believe it's a rumor, despite the tuition reduction being confirmed. He said most are waiting to see the cut reflected in their next tuition bill.

-- Advance reporter Andrew Simontacchi also contributed to this report.