Meghan Holden

Journal & Courier

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University is reducing its annual tuition and fees by $10, bringing the rate for Hoosier students to just under $10,000.

Purdue trustees were already expected to approve a tuition freeze through the 2018-19 academic year at an executive committee meeting Wednesday, but they also announced at the meeting that officials had found a way to slightly reduce fee rates for the next two years.

"Every little bit helps," Purdue President Mitch Daniels said after the meeting.

The $10-per-student decrease will come from a fitness and wellness fee, for which students currently pay $122 per semester, or $244 each year. According to Purdue officials, the rate was originally instituted to support the construction and operation of the France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center, which was renovated and expanded in 2012.

A recent review prompted by Daniels, however, found that the initial fee estimates generate an annual surplus after construction debt and operational costs are repaid.

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When the freeze began in 2013, the tuition and fee rate for Hoosier students was $9,992. Daniels said he noticed one day the amount had bumped up to $10,002, which he learned was due to a second installment of fee increases for the recreational center that was previously approved.

"I was a little bit irked about that," Daniels said, referring to the rate rising above $10,000.

Officials looked into the situation and it turned out the recreational center was more than covering its costs and has been able to put a little bit of money aside, he said, which was likely due to the increase in student enrollment since the fee rate was originally set.

Out-of-state and international students also will see a $10 annual decrease, dropping their rates to $28,794 and $30,794, respectively.

Reach Journal & Courier reporter Meghan Holden at mholden@gannett.com or 765-420-5205.