Gov. Lincoln Chafee's proposed budget restores some funding for higher education, but the leaders of the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College say it may not be enough to prevent tuition hikes.
In-state students at URI pay about $11,000 a year. Tuition is about $28,000 for out-of-state students.
Tuition is about $7,000 a year for in-state students at Rhode Island College. Out-of-state students pay $17,000.
In a YouTube video, Chafee talked about his commitment to fund higher education after $38 million in cuts over the past three years.
"Tuition has gone up at our state colleges. It's become unaffordable to go to URI, unaffordable to go to RIC, unaffordable to go to CCRI. That's not in our long-term best interest," Chafee said in the video.
But despite that message, URI is estimating a tuition increase of 8.5 percent. Rhode Island College puts its possible increase at 3 to 4 percent. The governor has promised there won't be a tuition increase at the Community College of Rhode Island.
Chafee said his proposed budget adds $10 million in funding.
"These are tough budget times across the country. Rhode Island is not unique. At least in my budget, I reversed the trend of cuts to higher education," Chafee told NBC 10 News.
Higher education leaders asked for about $30 million in all. Chafee's budget would give them $10 million, leaving the schools about $20 million short of what they want.
"In these tough budget times, I could not get all the way to the $30 million," the governor said.
The idea of paying more isn't popular with students.
"It doesn't really make much sense because Rhode Island College is getting more popular every year. There are more people are coming here and applying every year. So, I don't understand why they're raising tuition," said Chris Hutchinson, a RIC student.
Hutchinson and Albert Chace work and attend Rhode Island College at the same time. They said they're already strapped for cash and receiving financial aid.
"If they started giving more people loans and more grants, it would help everybody out. Make it easier. The financial aid process is ridiculous," Chace said.
The tuition increases are far from a done deal. The state's Board of Governors for Higher Education has to approve any increase, and it won't meet until next month.
The debate over the budget continues at the State House, and the final version could reduce funding for higher education.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement