A new school year is getting under way at Iowa’s colleges and universities. Students are gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to improve their lives and communities. Keeping their tuition affordable is an important part of our efforts to expand Iowa’s middle class because all Iowans who want to further their education should be able to do it.
Community colleges: This year, we increased support for Iowa’s 15 community colleges by $8 million. Their role in education and job training is growing, as they work closely with local businesses to reduce Iowa’s shortage of skilled workers. Almost all community college students are Iowans who plan to stay in the state when they graduate. Statewide enrollment for fall of 2013 was 94,234—from recent high school grads earning their first college credits to family breadwinners learning new skills for better jobs.
State universities: During the 2014 session, we provided the funding necessary to freeze tuition at the University of Iowa, Iowa State and the University of Northern Iowa for the second straight year. I believe we should do it for a third. About 63 percent of Iowa’s state university graduates in 2013 had student loan debt, averaging $28,293 per student, according to the Iowa College Student Aid Commission. The Iowa Policy Project, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Reserve and numerous other groups warn that rising student loan debt is bad for our economy.
Private colleges and universities: Almost half of bachelor’s degrees awarded in Iowa come from our private colleges and universities. A boost in the Iowa Tuition Grant will ensure more of these students can afford the education that’s right for them. To qualify, a student must be an Iowa resident, attend an independent, non-profit college or university, and demonstrate financial need. Last year, nearly 15,000 students received the grant, which is matched by their school.
Affordable tuition for those willing to study hard and work hard is a smart approach to strengthening Iowa’s middle class, keeping our workforce competitive and building a high-skill, high-wage economy in our state. For more on grants, scholarships and other help to pay for college, go to www.iowacollegeaid.gov.