PHOTO: Rev. Dr. Julius J.S. Nelson, Jr., President of the University of Liberia
Special Statement
Distinguished Vice Presidents, Deans and Administrators of the University of Liberia, Student Leaders Member of the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Today we have invited you stakeholders to further communicate the approved tuition policy of the University and emphasize the importance of payment of tuition and fees, as students of the University.
Thanks to the National Undergraduate Tuition Free Policy instituted by His Excellency President George M. Weah in 2018, the cost of Undergraduate Education at the University was reduced from an average of US$85.00 to an equivalent of US$14.72 or (L$2,500.00) per semester.
This policy, along with the automation of our registration, has created a smoother platform for retaining admission for students at the University as reflected in our admission records for the last four semesters.
However, due to the alarming increase in arrears of tuition and fees at all programs during last semester amounting to about One Million United States Dollars, the University crafted, discussed with various stakeholders, and had a tuition policy approved by both the UL Faculty Senate and the Board of Trustees. This policy provides for all students seeking to retain admission at the University up to Ninety Days (90 days) to complete billing and payment of tuition and fees, or otherwise forfeit their admission status.
This policy should have taken effect during the last academic semester but was deferred to this semester to allow for more publicity.
However, this semester, the non-payment rate has further heightened as detail in the analyses below:
| No. | PROGRAMS | BILLED # | RECISTRATION COMPLETE # | % |
| 1. | Undergraduate | 19,490 | 4,028 | 20.7% |
| 2. | Graduate | 846 | 33 | 3.9% |
| 3 | Law School | 132 | 3 | 2.3% |
| 4. | Other Professional Schools | 61 | 0 | 0% |
| TOTAL | 20,529 | 4,064 | 19.8% |
This statistic has resulted in an arrear for this semester amounting to US$1,113,714.42 for all programs.
The University needs all funds on board to continue our faculty development initiatives, the expansion of our academic programs and curriculum revision, increase renovation activities and other operational and logistics needs.
The Government is playing its part with the regular payment of salaries, stipend to Medical and Pharmacy and provision of tuition subsidy. The students MUST play their part!!
THEREFORE, the University has set April 30, 2021 as DEADLINE for the payment of fees (undergraduate students only) and tuition and fees (Graduate and Professional Schools.)
(Note: The Tuition Free Policy applies to students enrolled at the undergraduate level—therefore only fees they are required to pay; while those enrolled in the graduate and professional schools are required to pay both tuition and fees.)
The registration started on February 1, 2021 and the ninety days will elapse on April 30, 2021. Those who will NOT comply will be dropped from the UL- Eportal system and will therefore not be considered current students effective as of MAY 1, 2021 for this semester.
Members of the media and stakeholders, thanks for your presence here. I will stop at this point and entertain questions.
Thank you,
Rev. Dr. Julius J.S. Nelson, Jr.
President of the University of Liberia