University of California lowers tuition for next school year

The University of California is lowering tuition by $60 for the upcoming academic year.

The UC Board of Regents approved the decrease Thursday.

It’s the university system’s first tuition decrease in nearly two decades.

California residents will pay $12,630 in tuition and fees next year. Students from outside the state will pay more than triple that amount.

The UC had planned earlier this year to raise tuition for all students by more than $300. UC officials scrapped that proposal in April.

The state budget that took effect July 1 boosted funding for the state’s public universities in an effort to stave off tuition increases.

The UC system last lowered tuition for the 1999-2000 academic year. Regents approved a 5 percent tuition decrease for that year.