ASMSU elections are Wednesday, and undergraduates will have the ability to determine if their student government tax will be increased.
More than a month ago, Academic and Student assemblies members voted to increase student taxes by $3 per semester to fund a scholarship account.
If students vote in favor of the increase, undergraduates' ASMSU tax will rise to $16.75 per student.
But there is disagreement between ASMSU officials about whether the increase is beneficial to students.
Daniel Helmer, ASMSU director of university governmental and budgetary affairs, said students need to look at the "principle of the matter."
"Although it's a small increase, it's taking away from everyone," he said. "It's a relatively small benefit."
The increase is expected to bring in about $233,000. Of that, the assemblies plan to place $200,000 per year into an endowed account.
The rest of the tax money will be put into an expendable account, along with the interest gained from the $200,000 account. This money, about $45,000, will be used to fund the ASMSU scholarship.
ASMSU officials estimate the expendable account will increase by $11,500 per year and said the increase will last for 10 years.
After that, students will have the opportunity to revote on the issue.
Helmer said students shouldn't be burdened with the responsibility of paying others' tuition.
Interior design sophomore Emily Mathews, however, said because the increase isn't that much, she's not against it.
"I can find $3 in my couch," she said. "If it was like 50 bucks, then I would be a little (angry), but it's only $3."
Others in ASMSU support the increase. ASMSU Academic Assembly Internal Vice Chairperson Jessica Hancock said no matter the amount, the money will assist students who are struggling financially.
"Eventually the scholarship will pay for itself," she said. "It's not a huge amount, but any small amount will help students pay tuition."
Hancock said in her first two years at MSU, she had trouble with tuition costs and received help from various scholarship funds.
"That's why I'm here," she said. "So I know (the increase) will benefit students."
Telecommunication, information studies and media junior Sarah Mudge said students wouldn't be sacrificing much if the tax increase passed.
"I honestly don't think $3 is too much to ask for," she said. "For how much we pay in tuition, and (it's) raised every year, it's not that much."
Mudge said as long as the money will help students and not go into the "pockets of the administration," it's worth the increase.
Hancock said she wasn't sure how the voting would turn out.
"It'll be interesting to see how students feel," she said. "It all depends on what type of student votes and if they think it'll benefit them or not."
