Even though the end of the province-wide tuition freeze was announced earlier this year, it's not until students reach the Registrar's Office in early September that the hike hits home.

Beginning in September 2004, and up until the start of the current fall semester, post-secondary tuition rates have been at a standstill. To justify the freeze lift, the provincial government has invested $6.2 billion in various college, university and apprenticeship initiatives.

When initially announcing the lift, local MPP and Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, Chris Bentley, said the average college student's tuition would go up “about $100.”

“We aim to give the best postsecondary education possible,” Bentley said when he announced the hike. “But more needs to be done to enhance quality.”

According to Fanshawe's registrar, Jeanine Buss, the majority of first-year students at the college will see a 4.5 per cent increase in tuition fee, with some variations.

According to the McGuinty government, the money will be spent on hiring of more faculty, support staff, administration as well as projected quality improvements.

Bentley added that the new money would be used to enhance resources, updates labs, new IT equipment and expanded library acquisitions.

According to the College Student Alliance, which Fanshawe Student Union is a member, students in “high cost” programs will be hit the hardest. Some deregulated tuition fee programs will see a maximum of eight per cent increase this year and up until 2009-2010.

University students in the province will see their tuition go up an average of $200.