Governor Terry Branstad. (file photo)
Governor Terry Branstad says he’s fine with a “modest” increase in fall tuition rates at the state’s three public universities, but Branstad is sending a message to the board that governs university of Iowa, Iowa State University and UNI about the $300-per-student hike that’s under consideration.
“I think it’s too much,” Branstad said this afternoon. “I hope the Regents will take a close look at that.”
Legislators did not provide as big a boost in state taxpayer support as the board requested and the Board of Regents will meet next week to consider raising tuition rates for the fall semester to make up some of the difference.
“I’m concerned about too big an increase, especially with the financial hardships that families are facing,” Branstad said.
The timing of this additional tuition hike is troublesome, according to Branstad, because some students and their families have already budgeted for the fall semester tuition rate the Board of Regents set in December.
“I’m very sensitive to the costs of higher education,” Branstad said. “I went to the University of Iowa right out of high school. My parents didn’t have the money to send me there. I worked construction work summer the summer. I worked at the cafeteria during the school year and I had to borrow money and I didn’t get my student loans paid back until after I was elected governor the first time.”
Branstad made his comments this afternoon during taping of the “Iowa Press” program that will air next Friday on Iowa Public Television.