DePaul University’s Board of Trustees officially set the tuition rate for the 2013-2014 academic terms March 7. The rates for the term include an increase of 2.5 perÎ_cent for returning undergrads. The tuition hike had been a subject of student protest over the last month.

“[The tuition rate increase] is approximately the rate of inflation and continues to be one of the lowest rates of increase ever for continuing students,” said the Office of Student Finance Accounts in an email sent to student announcing the tuition rates.

Columbia College Chicago and Loyola University are also having tuition raises this year, of 3 and 2.5 percent respectively. As part of Columbia Collage Chicago Focus 2016 plan for the future the school plans to raise tuition by 3-5 percent each year.

“It saddens us that the administration has chosen to compromise the futures of its students,” said Erez Bleicher, an organizer for the Tuition Freeze Coalition. The TFC has staged two demonstrations in the last month protesting the raise of tuition and demanding a six-year freeze on tuition hikes.

“While DePaul works to maintain affordability for students by keeping tuition increases as low as possible, we also recognize that many students and families are experiencing financial hardship at this time,” said the OSFA’s email. “In fact, raising money for scholarships is the top priority of the current fundraising campaign.”

The tuition is set each year through a comprehensive budgeting process where representatives from the Student Government Association, faculty, staff and administration serve on the university’s budget and tuition pricing committees.

“I think the raises are exceptionally modest and keep with the rate of inflation,” said Caroline Winsett, president of SGA, in response to the first TFC demonstration.

“The DePaul Tuition Freeze Coalition will continue to educate, demonstrate, and build our campaign,” said Bleicher. “We believe the tuition increases represent a beÎ_trayal of the Vincentian ideal and will fight to make those ideals a reality at DePaul.”

The total revenue raised through the tuition increase will total to be $17.8 milÎ_lion for the 2013-2014 term. The increase for each student is based on his or her entry year and college.

“We continue to look for ways to reduce costs and keep tuition increases as low as possible,” said Cynthia Lawson, vice presiÎ_dent for public relations and communicaÎ_tions for DePaul.