Tuition policy continues to be a sticky issue

Yesterday, the Higher Education Coordinating Board presented a draft report outlining numerous different ways to structure how we charge tuition in Washington. The report is in response to HB 2344, passed after the Legislature agreed to raise tuition increase caps from seven percent to 14 percent per year. The cap was raised to help colleges and universities offset the 13 percent cut in state funding for higher education.

The issue of tuition stirred a lot of debate last session. Rep. Revuen Carlyle, for example, argued vigorously that it was time to move the state to a high tuition/high financial aid model.

Mark Emmert, president of the University of Washington, argued the state must give colleges more flexibility in setting tuition to avoid turning qualified students away or "taking the 'higher' out of higher education."

Before taking action, the Legislature asked the HECB to look at various tuition models, the issue of flexibility, and the impacts it might have on access, affordability, and degree production.

They explored the high tuition/high aid model that Carlyle was pushing for, but raised concerns that such a model might discourage lower-income students and students of color from pursuing a degree despite increased financial aid opportunities. The HECB also pointed out that financial aid eligibility for many middle-income families is a problem and that even with higher aid expenditures, it might not be enough to "level the playing field" for all students.

Other models they looked at included charging tuition based on family income, or the kind of degree being pursued, or on the basis of how many credits a student is enrolled in, or based on enrollment in lower division v. upper division courses, or even based on market prices.

Ultimately, the HECB proposed that tuition should make up no more than 45 percent of the share of revenues covering instructional costs. The Associated Press reports that UW and Western were not happy with the proposal and argued that it actually hinders the flexibility they need, and that such a formulaic model could force institutions to lower tuition whenever state appropriations go down.

The Legislature still has to look at the HECB's report and will likely continue the discussion in the upcoming session. Stay tuned!