Gov. Nixon Applauds Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents for Freezing Tuition for Missouri Undergraduates

Press Release

Gov. Jay Nixon today visited Maryville to applaud the Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents for answering his call to freeze tuition for Missouri undergraduates for the 2014-2015 school year. As part of his continued efforts to make Missouri a leader in college affordability, the Governor has proposed a significant funding increase for Missouri's public four-year universities in his Fiscal Year 2015 budget, and called on those institutions to freeze tuition for Missouri undergraduates.

"To continue growing Missouri's economy, we know that good schools help create good jobs," Gov. Nixon said. "By investing in Missouri's universities and freezing tuition, we're going to make sure students graduate from college with the skills they need to compete for good jobs, not a load of debt."

Earlier today, the Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents voted to answer the Governor's call and freeze in-state undergraduate tuition for the 2014-15 academic year if the General Assembly adopts the Governor's Fiscal Year 2015 balanced budget proposal for Missouri's public universities.

"I applaud the Northwest Missouri State University Board of Regents for making a commitment to keep college affordable by freezing tuition for next year," Gov. Nixon said. "It's now up to the Missouri General Assembly to keep its commitment to higher education by following my budget recommendations and making a real investment in our colleges and universities."

"Gov. Nixon's "Good Schools, Good Jobs' plan makes a real investment in our University," said Dr. John Jasinski, Northwest Missouri State University President. "Northwest has been on a sustained path toward protecting affordability, enhancing access, and addressing quality and accountability issues. Under the Governor's proposal and with the support of the General Assembly in protecting critical investment needs for higher education, we'll be able to freeze undergraduate tuition next year so the quality education we offer here at Northwest Missouri State University remains affordable. Our students deserve the support as we continue to serve the economic needs of our state"

Gov. Nixon has made the quality and affordability of higher education in Missouri a top priority of his administration. Over the past five years, Missouri has led the nation in holding down tuition increases at its public universities. The College Board's 2013 Trends in College Pricing report shows that tuition and fees at Missouri's public four-year institutions increased just 5 percent since 2008, lower than in any other state in the nation.

Gov. Nixon's Fiscal Year 2015 balanced budget proposal includes an additional $36.7 million in funding for Missouri's public universities, through Missouri's performance-based funding model for higher education, implemented for the first time last year. The Governor's STEM initiative would also provide an additional $22 million in core funding for Missouri's public universities to help these institutions purchase equipment, expand lab space and produce more graduates in fast-growing STEM fields.

To address a critical shortage of mental health professionals in many communities across the state, the Governor has proposed a strategic investment of $20 million investment to help Missouri's community colleges and universities train 1,200 students in high-demand mental health fields.

Last year, Gov. Nixon set a goal of giving every student in the state the opportunity to earn a Missouri A+ scholarship. Under the A+ program, Missouri students can earn a scholarship to cover the cost of tuition and academic fees for two years at any public two-year community college or technical school in the state. To be eligible for the program, students must meet academic achievement standards, conduct and attendance requirements, and perform 50 hours of tutoring or mentoring service.

Since the Governor took office, 279 schools have been added to Missouri's A+ Schools program. As a result, over 99 percent of public high school students in Missouri now have the opportunity to earn an A+ scholarship and attend two years of community college tuition free.

Gov. Nixon's Fiscal Year 2015 budget proposal increases funding for all of Missouri's major scholarship programs including Bright Flight, A+ and Access Missouri.

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