Tuition increase raises questions of affordability, transparency

Lehigh University has increased tuition by 4.5%, following broader national trends in higher education costs. The university's need-based aid model adjusts with cost increases, and aid packages are recalculated annually based on updated family financial information. Jennifer Mertz, assistant vice provost of financial services, said that if the cost of attendance rises while a family's expected contribution remains unchanged, a student's need-based aid would increase. Students Josh Swavely and Alex Strauss expressed concerns about the increase, citing its impact on their financial planning and questioning the transparency of funding allocation. They suggested that clearer communication about the reasons behind rising costs and how revenue is used would help students and families better understand the increase. The university's tuition is comparable to similar private institutions, but students experience the cost differently depending on their financial circumstances.