Gov. Branstad Recommends Funds to Support Board of Regents Tuition Freeze, Affecting ISU, UNI, and U of I

Rejoice college students (and parents of college students).

The tuition freeze approved in late 2012 by the Iowa Board of Regents got a boost today when Gov. Terry Branstad gave his recommendation for general fund appropriations to universities.

Jens Manuel Krogstad of the Des Moines Register reports:

Gov. Terry Branstad recommended more than $483 million in general fund appropriations to the universities for fiscal year 2014, which begins July 1. The total includes an extra $4 million for UNI, which faces unusual budget challenges, in part, because of its reliance on in-state undergraduate students. This results in less revenue because because Iowans pay far less in tuition than out-of-state students.

In response, the Board of Regents issued a statement commending the governor for his backing:

"We are extremely pleased the Governor’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2014 includesthe necessary funding to enable the Board of Regents to freeze tuition rates for in-state undergraduate students next fall. This is a tremendous win for Iowa’s students and families and the Board is committed to working with the General Assembly to ensure these funds are approved.

In particular, the Board would like to thank the Governor for including the special appropriation for the University of Northern Iowa, and for continued support for the Regent Innovation Fund. This fund is enabling Iowa’s public universities to bring new technologies to market faster, as well as helping Iowa’s communities reach their full economic potential."

The Iowa Board of Regents voted in 2012 to freeze in-state tuition at the University of Northern Iowa, University of Iowa and Iowa State University for the 2013-2014 school year.

That would keep tuition at $6,648 for resident students at the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University and at $6,678 at the University of Iowa.

The plan was contingent on additional funding from the Iowa legislature, according to Regents President Craig Lang, who has said $41 million in new funding and a $4 million special appropriation for UNI are needed. A report from the regents said tuition rates may be adjusted based on decisions made during the 2013 legislative session, which is why the governor's statement was important.

According the report, undergraduate tuition revenues currently make up 72 percent of total tuition revenues at UI; 84 percent at ISU; and 92 percent at UNI.