As the costs of higher education escalate, budget conscious parents and students often feel forced to choose between the college they want and the one they can afford. It’s not easy on the institutional side either. Competition for student dollars is fierce, and a college in today’s market needs every competitive advantage it can get.
A new law, signed by Gov. Phil Bryant Friday, aims to give the state’s colleges and universities an advantage already employed in neighboring states — permission to waive out-of-state tuition, especially for students who live just across the state line.
The bill goes into effect July 1, but Mississippi University for Women President Dr. Jim Borsig said it may be spring, before its implemented on campus. The out-of-state tuition waiver is optional for universities and contingent upon approval from the state college board, which may deny the request if it’s deemed fiscally imprudent.
But Borsig was enthusiastic about what he called “a very forward-looking piece of legislation,” which will help colleges, students and economic development within the state.
Stipulated by Alabama Code 16-64-4, four-year public institutions, like the University of Alabama, have the right to offer in-state tuition rates to students who reside in any county within a 50-mile radius of the institution. Similar laws are in effect in Tennessee and other states.
In some cases, out-of-state tuition waivers may be contingent upon American College Testing (ACT) scores, GPA or other factors.
But until last week, Mississippi colleges could only lure out-of-state students by offering a scholarship to offset the difference, which can sometimes be considerable.
MUW’s current in-state undergraduate tuition per semester is $2,438. Out-of-state tuition and fees for the semester is $6,642.75.
Per-semester fees at UA are $4,300 for residents and $10,950 for non-residents. The university’s website specifically states residents of Lowndes and Noxubee counties are eligible for in-state tuition rates.
“This levels the playing field,” Borsig said of the new legislation.
He said once it goes into effect, MUW and other Mississippi colleges will be able to extend their reach across the state lines to people who work in Mississippi and are already part of the Golden Triangle’s economy, even though they reside in Alabama.
“The Legislature and government deserve a lot of credit,” Borsig said. “It’s going to strengthen the Mississippi economy and will help all the public universities that take part in this. It will help us compete in a very competitive market for students and student enrollment.”
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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