After nearly a semester in the West Virginia University School of Nursing's 2nd Degree BSN Fast Track program, students were notified of severe tuition increases that would effect the remainder of their program. Students were given cost estimates prior to entry into the program. The students believed the estimates to be trustworthy. The estimated cost was a major factor in student's decision to enter the program rather than a similar program at another university. The tuition increases intitially would have added approximately $16,000 in tuition to non-resident students and $6,000 to resident students. Adjustments were made of Summer 2013 term, although the cost is still significantly more than expected. At this time WVU administration intends to make no adjustments to Summer 2014 costs. This will result in an increase of $9,000 ($1,000 from Summer 2013, and $8,000 for Summer 2014) program cost for non-residents and $4,000 ($1,000 from Summer 2013 and $3,000 for Summer 2014) increased program cost for resident students. The purpose of this petition is for the students and their families to express their dissapproval of the increased tuition and to request that West Virginia University and the School of Nursing honer the tuition estimates made prior to the start of the program. Integrity is a core nursing value. We respectfully ask West Virginia University and the School of Nursing to lead by example on this issue by honoring the information that the HSC Office of Financial Aid provided to students during the entry process.

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