Students can likely expect to pay $135 more per semester to live on campus at Penn State starting next year. The Board of Trustees Committee on Finance, Business, and Capital Planning has passed a 2.5 percent increase to Penn State’s room and board rates, pending final approval from the full board at its public meeting Friday afternoon.

John Papazoglou, the university’s associate vice president for Auxiliary and Business Services, presented the proposal to the committee Thursday morning, explaining the three key considerations in the increase are capital assessment, operating expenses, and expansion of capacity.

The new semester rate for a student in a general double room with a mid-level meal plan would come out to $5,530, or a $135 increase per student per semester. This 2.5 percent increase is Penn State’s lowest increase since the 2010-2011 academic year, and most of it is from the capital assessment as the university continues to renovate and build additional on-campus housing. Penn State ranks just below the Big Ten conference average for room and board rates.

There will be no on-campus housing rate increases for students at the Beaver, Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, and Mont Alto campuses. Instead, students who live on campus at Hazleton will receive a $1,000 housing grant, and those who live on campus at the other three locations will receive a $1,000 housing grant if they’re participating in the Pittsburgh Promise program.

Student Body President Katie Jordan voiced student concerns about the pressure put on University Park rates because Commonwealth campuses have been unable to fill their housing capacities. The committee approved the proposal unanimously, so the recommendation will move to the full Board’s decision Friday.