Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Nussle and his Democratic rival, Chet Culver, reviewed their proposals for higher education yesterday during separate appearances in Des Moines. Nussle, the Republican candidate for governor, outlined his “Learn and Earn” plan which would benefit many college graduates who stay and work in Iowa for seven years after earning their degree.
Nussle has proposed having the state gradually pay off college costs over that seven year period if the graduate had good grades and comes from a family that has a yearly income of 63-thousand dollars. Nussle also promises to limit tuition hikes at Iowa, Iowa State and U-N-I using what’s called the Higher Education Price Index. It’s basically the inflation rate on the nation’s college campuses.
Culver, the Democratic candidate for governor, has promised to set aside 25 million more state tax dollars for Iowa, Iowa State and U-N-I to lower tuition, but he hasn’t specified how much tuition costs would decline with that amount of money. Culver has also promised to create what he’s called “Opportunity Scholarships” for five-thousand Iowa high schoolers to help pay for their college tuition. The two candidates reviewed their plans before a group of college students and college administrators meeting in Des Moines.