For as long as he could remember, 18-year-old Menase Samuel had dreamed of studying software engineering at Addis Abeba University (AAU). Like many of his peers, he saw AAU as the pinnacle of higher education, a gateway to opportunities that could lift his family out of poverty. When the University announced it was accepting applications for self-sponsored positions, Menase did not hesitate.

Despite lacking a financial support letter from his local kebele — a requirement for assistance — he rushed to apply, believing he could resolve the affordability issue later.

"I didn't want to miss the opportunity," he recalled.

Determined, he registered and sat for the entrance exam, scoring an impressive 83pc. It was enough to secure a place in his first program of choice, a five-year software engineering course at AAU's Amist Kilo campus. But his elation was short-lived. The tuition fee was 1,500 Br for a credit hour. With 30 credit hours per semester over five years, the total cost was 450,000 Br, excluding accommodation and other expenses.

The sum was insurmountable for Menase, whose father earns only 12,000 Br a month as the family's sole breadwinner.

"AAU's tuition fees slammed the door shut on my future at the University," said Menase, his voice tinged with disappointment.

Unable to afford AAU, Menase opted to enrol at Addis Abeba Science & Technology University (AASTU) instead. In the Qilinto suburb of the capital, AASTU accepts students based on entrance exams and still employs the government's cost-sharing program. Menase's score of 481 out of 600 on the national school leaving exam left him only 19 points shy of eligibility for a merit-based scholarship at AAU.

Poor communication from AAU compounded his frustrations.

"Everything felt rushed and unclear," he says.

Essential details about fees and payment structures were not clarified until it was too late. Another top scorer, a friend of his, almost missed out on an academic scholarship due to the same lack of clarity.

"Every communication was rushed," Menase reflects.

AAU's shift toward autonomy has ushered in important changes, particularly over tuition fees. Previously, students could pay their tuition on a cost-sharing basis with the government, contributing 10pc of their monthly paycheck after securing employment within a year of graduation. The University's newfound autonomy has now scrapped this system, demanding upfront payments from students. The newly instated tuition fees for undergraduate programs range from 600 Br to over 2,300 Br per credit hour. A four-year social science program costs a minimum of 144,000 Br, while a six-year clinical program like medicine can set students back almost one million Birr.

AAU's leadership insists that the new fee structure is necessary to maintain and enhance academic standards. According to the academic Vice President, Jeilu Oumer (Associate Prof.), the institution does not operate for profit.

"The tuition fees are aligned with the market," he said. "They're meant solely to cover academic expenses."

Jeilu believes that the University is offering scholarships to address the financial burden. AAU will provide 2,660 public-funded scholarships this academic year, with an additional 200 based on entrance exam performance. The University has accepted 5,300 undergraduate students for the upcoming academic year, down from previous intakes of 6,000 to 10,000 students. A total of 11,939 students took the entrance exam at 19 centres across Ethiopia, including regional universities in Bahir Dar, Wollo, Meqelle, Dire Dawa, Hawassa, and Jimma. Around half of exam takers were accepted.

"Students are expected to begin their education shortly in the coming days," said Jeilu.

Not everyone is as unfortunate as Menase. Some families are willing and able to shoulder the costs.

Dagmawit TesfaMichael, who scored 72pc on her entrance exam, was accepted into the public relations department, her second choice. Her family is prepared to pay 18,000 Br per semester for the four-year program to keep her studying in their hometown. Yet even she wishes for more flexible payment options.

"I would prefer a deferred, staggered payment plan instead of paying upfront," she told Fortune.

The University has made some efforts to ease the financial strain. Students who pay their tuition in full at the start of the year receive a discount, while others are allowed to pay in instalments. According to Jeilu, on-campus work opportunities are also being considered. But, there is currently no provision for student loans, although there are plans to offer scholarships and financial support from AAU's endowment fund.

According to Matiwos Ensermu (PhD), a vice president in the President's office, the University's board sets the tuition fee after considering research and administrative costs. Programs requiring laboratory and fieldwork have higher fees.

"The University's academic expenses and maintenance costs were also considered," he said.