College affordability program opens opportunities for students

Affordability is an important factor to consider when pursuing a higher education.

In order to reduce the financial burden presented by in-state tuition, Washington legislature signed Senate Bill (SB) 5954 into law on July 6, 2015.

SB 5954, also known as the College Affordability Program, will reduce tuition rates for public universities over the next three years.

Then, the bill will set a limit—based on a percentage of the average annual income in Washington—as to how much each University can charge students for tuition.

Beginning in the fall semester of this year, the College Affordability Program will strive towards its goal of increasing scholastic opportunity and reducing student loans across the state.

Washington state tuition began its rapid increase in 2011 when the Legislature passed the Higher Education Opportunity Act.

The Act, Derek Nunnally explained on http://komonews.com, “gave universities permission to raise tuition by double digit rates during the recession to make up for double digit cuts in state appropriations for higher education.”

Nunnally continued, “From 2008 to 2013, tuition and fees in Washington state rose 37 percent in inflation-adjusted dollars, while state dollars going to higher-education were cut by nearly 28 percent.”

By comparison, The Seattle Times cites the national average tuition increase at 17 percent over the same time frame.

The College Affordability Program will prevent further increase in tuition first by removing state institutions’ ability to control their tuition rates.

The Senate Bill Report explains that for the 2015-16 academic year, resident undergraduate (RUG) tuition will be reduced by five percent from previous rates.

In the 2016-17 academic year, RUG will be reduced by 20 percent from the initial (2014-15 academic year) levels for regional universities and The Evergreen State College; research universities however, will see a 15 percent decrease from 2014-15.

Starting in the 2017-18 academic year, institutions can set their own tuition anywhere at or below their tier’s allotted percentage of average income in the state.

Nunnally explained, “Tuition would be highest at the state’s two research universities, Washington State University and the University of Washington [who are permitted 14 percent of the average income].”

Regional Universities’ tuition could be no higher than 10 percent of the average income, and community and technical colleges could charge no more than six percent.

The College Affordability Program will reduce student loans throughout the state. As of 2014, the Washington Post reported 56 percent of students in Washington graduated with student loans; the average debt was $23,293. This total, even prior to SB 5954, was below the national average.

Regardless of student debt across the nation, the College Affordability Program is the first and only one of its kind.

Stephanie Redding wrote on The Seattle Times, “The only two states that come close to what Washington has done this year: Minnesota, which is cutting community college tuition by 1 percent; and Ohio, where a budget plan would require colleges to propose ways to reduce student costs by 5 percent.”

Higher education is becoming more affordable in Washington, opening many opportunities for students.

Co-sponsor of the bill and chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, Barbara Bailey said, “This is a historic moment for families and students in our state… I’m hopeful that we’ve been able to turn the tide on higher education funding with this policy and make students a priority again.”