SVSU Board approves block tuition structure

June 16, 2025

SVSU Board approves block tuition structure

The Saginaw Valley State University Board of Control authorized the adoption of a block tuition structure as part of its approval of the general fund operating budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year at its Monday, June 16 regular meeting. The new block tuition model will be implemented beginning with the fall 2025 semester and applies only to full-time undergraduate SVSU students.

Under the block tuition structure, a Michigan undergraduate student taking between 12 and 18 credit hours will pay a flat rate of $13,680, regardless of the number of credits they carry within that range. Students taking fewer than 12 credits will pay on a per-credit hour basis of $570 per credit hour. Students taking more than 18 credits will pay the flat rate plus $570 per credit hour in excess of 18 credits. During the 2024-25 academic year, a student taking 30 credits paid $12,930.

The block tuition structure will be in effect only in the fall and winter terms; spring and summer tuition rates will remain on a per-credit-hour basis.

SVSU maintains the lowest undergraduate full-time tuition rate of Michigan's 15 public universities.

"Several other institutions in Michigan use a block tuition structure, which has proven effective for them," said Noel Hornbacher, SVSU vice president for Administration and Business Affairs. "We value students' time and money, and we decided to follow suit to help students earn their degrees faster, at a lower cost."

The block tuition structure encourages students to maximize the number of classes they take each semester, providing a faster path to graduation. This can help students reduce total tuition costs, as well as other costs for additional semesters, such as room and board.

Block tuition models have resulted in improved student outcomes, such as higher graduation rates and faster time to completion, at institutions who have evaluated students' progress following similar moves, including the University of Hawaii system and Oklahoma State University.

For more information on SVSU's block tuition, visit svsu.edu/blocktuition.

The Board approved a new three-year contract with University Police officers represented by the Police Officers Association of Michigan. The agreement calls for wage increases of 6.5% to 11.5% in the first year, depending on officer seniority, and 2.5% in each of the final two years of the deal. The officers ratified the contract on Friday, May 30.

The board also approved spending up to $24 million to construct the Lake Huron Environmental Research Station with funding coming from the State of Michigan, SVSU and private fundraising. The facility to be built along the Saginaw River near the mouth of Saginaw Bay was initially approved at a smaller total project cost, prior to site work at the location.

In other action, the Board:

• Confirmed board members for previously authorized public school academies.
• Approved the promotion of nine faculty members, effective July 1. Promoted to the rank of professor are: Jill Brown, occupational therapy; Cynthia Hupert, nursing; Shiva Nadavulakere, management; Sylvia Fromherz-Sharp, biology; Izabela Szymanka; management; and Norm Wika, music. Promoted to associate professor are: George Corser, computer science and information systems; Amy Guenther, teacher education; and Melvin McDowell, social work.
• Approved revisions to the SVSU Code of Student Conduct.
• Authorized SVSU to pursue property acquisition within the planned site of the Medical Diamond in downtown Saginaw.
• Recognized the service of outgoing Board of Control members JoAnn Crary and Lindsay Stevens Eggers, whose terms are coming to end.