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* Tina…
Gov. Pritzker just announced he has asked the University of Illinois’ board to expand free tuition for low income families: “More than half of the households in this state will qualify for free tuition.” #twill
— Tina Sfondeles (@TinaSfon) January 17, 2020
Pritzker: “I believe that they will be able to implement it by the end of this month…people who are applying for the new school year, in the fall, will be able to access that 10% increase.”
— Tina Sfondeles (@TinaSfon) January 17, 2020
* Meanwhile…
For the first time in six years, tuition will be going up for in-state students attending University of Illinois schools.
Trustees on Thursday unanimously approved a proposal that will raise base tuition for Illinoisans by 1.8% at the campuses at Urbana-Champaign and Chicago, and by 1% in Springfield.
That means tuition for Illinois freshmen in fall 2020 will be $12,254 at Urbana-Champaign, $10,776 at Chicago and $9,502.50 at Springfield. […]
The tuition hikes do not affect currently enrolled students — only the next incoming class. Illinois’ Truth in Tuition law guarantees that the price students pay in their first year of college essentially is locked in for four years.
…Adding… I asked the governor’s office if this included any state revenue to fund it and was told this…
The current bipartisan balanced budget included increased funding for higher education and the Governor remains committed to investing in education in future budgets.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 11:27 am
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Merit scholarships to not only offset these rising costs but keep Illinois students here would be a wise move.
Expanding the program is thoughtful by the governor but seemingly ignoring some major things when it comes to Illinois higher education including and excluding the U of I system I’m those thoughts.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 11:44 am
Another 10 years and Higher Education will be just an expensive tax payer funded daycare center. For the consumer, that which has no price, has no value.
Comment by Unpopular Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 11:53 am
That’s easy to do in these low inflation times. if and when inflation ever ignites again that’s when the stress will really come
Comment by Fav human Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 11:55 am
There’s nothing “free” about it. And Killeens 200k pay raise is atrocious. And then they hike tuition?
Comment by Silencio por favor Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 11:55 am
I’m all for free tuition, but let’s not kid ourselves. Giving free tuition to low income students means higher income students will be paying more.
There is no such thing as “free” anything. Somebody else will have to pay more.
I think the Governor’s heart is in the right place, but this is just more micromanaging from Springfield, and there will be unintended consequences.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 12:04 pm
Actually… there is a lot of free about it.
Unless you think the full tuition costs represent the actual education costs and you think that the majority of students pay anywhere close to that sticker price.
Comment by Ok Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 12:05 pm
Silencio, the pay raise that puts him smack in the middle of the Big 10 presidents is atrocious? Come on. They haven’t raised tuition in 6 years. Take a breath.
Comment by Perrid Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 12:07 pm
IL universities don’t do enough to market themselves to out-of-state students. Along with the Truth in Tuition law, Illinois is one of few states where you can get in-state tuition after being a residence for six months. Most states are around two years.
The difference in time was the deciding factor for me going to school in Illinois.
Comment by twowaystreet Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 12:14 pm
They should increase the threshold for free tuition by the same percentage they propose to increase Killeen’s pay - 40%.
Comment by DownStateGrl Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 12:45 pm
Twowaystreet, in-state tuition in Illinois is 12 months minimum. https://admissions.illinois.edu/FAQ/in-state-tuition.
Comment by SpfdNewb Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 12:46 pm
I can only speak to UIS, because I’m a student, but the problem isn’t tuition - it’s the fees. Tuition is a little high, but not much. But they charge for more fees, at a higher rate, than any school around. I take two classes a semester, and pay almost $1000 in fees. Student Union fee, Academic Support Fee, Health Fee, Facility Maintenance Fund fee, General fee, Student to Student Grant fee, it goes on and on. It’s absurd. If JB really wants to help students, he can start there
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 12:58 pm
- SpfdNewb -
It must have changed since I went to school. I was receiving in-state tuition during my second semester.
Comment by twowaystreet Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 1:08 pm
the university will be fine with or without additional funds from the state. just look at all the cash they are hoarding in their plant funds.
Comment by it’s all good Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 1:21 pm
- SpfdNewb -
Further clarification. it varies for different universities. The one I went to did offer within six months. I mistakenly thought that applied to all universities.
Comment by twowaystreet Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 1:29 pm
From U of I’s own website and lower in the Trib article:
===Tuition & Fees:$16,210-$21,214===
https://admissions.illinois.edu/invest/tuition
Pritzker’s move (while well intended) and Killeen’s paygrab will only contribute to this. U of I is has one of the most expensive in state tuitions in the country and less Illinois students are going there. This trend doesn’t appear to be reversing any time soon.
Comment by Boone's is Back Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 1:30 pm
They shouldn’t cite tuition alone, since almost all fees are mandatory. At UIUC, fees are $3000-$4000 a year. Still, the combined total is comparable to surrounding Big10 schools, perhaps a tad higher.
Comment by Anon Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 1:36 pm
Where Illinois lags is broadening aid or scholarships for families that earn more than $61,000 a year.
Comment by Anon Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 1:38 pm
-twowaystreet-
You might be right, NIU only requires 6 months prior to start of semester.
Comment by SpfdNewb Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 1:42 pm
Every time they raise tuition they say it’s to retain faculty and hire new faculty. What a crock.
This year UIUC has its largest student body ever and the state increased its appropriation by 5%. And what did faculty get? A 2% pay raise.
UIUC now is dead last in student-faculty ratio in the Big Ten (which means fewest faculty per student).
The money always goes to administrators, never faculty.
Comment by filmmakerprof Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 2:23 pm
Anon, please look at ISAC’s website and those of our public universities for information about the AIM HIGH hybrid (merit plus need) scholarship program. The family income limit is six times the federal poverty level, e.g., about $147,000 for a family of four. While that income limit is statewide, each school sets its own academic criteria for its AIM HIGH allocation.
Comment by Fireman’s Kid Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 2:40 pm
-twowaystreet- and -SpfdNewb-
The whole “in-state” vs “out-of-state” thing varies by university too. WIU, for example, offers in-state tuition to all US residents.
Comment by DoingHumanThings Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 2:51 pm
Nice of Pritzker to have middle class families pay for free tuiton for others–
Comment by ANON Friday, Jan 17, 20 @ 3:57 pm