Faced with a daunting budget-balancing task, the 2011 Washington Legislature sent Gov. Chris Gregoire an operating budget bill, E2SHB 1087, which significantly reduces state appropriations for Washington’s public higher education system.
The reductions in higher education and other areas are in response to a projected $5.1 billion revenue shortfall for the 2011-13 biennium. The $535.5 million in cuts at two- and four-year institutions represent a 24 percent reduction in state funds to the public universities and colleges.
To partially offset the steep reductions in state appropriations, the Legislature assumed significant tuition increases for each year of the 2011-13 biennium:
- 16 percent - UW, WSU, Western Washington University
- 14 percent - Central Washington University, The Evergreen State College
- 12 percent - Community and Technical Colleges
- 11 percent - Eastern Washington University
Given those assumptions, tuition is expected to comprise nearly 60 percent of higher education operating funds. Just a few years ago, tuition represented between 40 and 45 percent of total operating funds.
Tuition at the public baccalaureate institutions could rise even more if institutions exercise new tuition-setting authority granted to them by the Legislature. E2SHB 1795 authorizes the baccalaureate institutions to raise tuition beyond levels assumed in the budget in each of the next four years, and extends this authority another four years to 2019 with some restrictions. The bill also establishes institutional performance metrics.
In an effort to offset the impact tuition increases will have on students least able to pay, the Legislature increased funding for the State Need Grant (SNG) program by $107.3 million and also made permanent a pilot program making SNG awards available to students attending less than half time. At the same time, the budget includes $16.7 million in SNG reductions by lowering award amounts available for students attending private and for-profit institutions.
The Legislature’s efforts to deal with the state’s budget crisis also meant cuts or suspensions for other state financial aid programs. The appropriation for the State Work Study Program was reduced by $31 million for the biennium, leaving approximately $15.6 million for that program. A change earlier this year increasing the employer share of wages under the program is made permanent.
Other budget items of interest:
Applied Baccalaureate Degree programs
The Seattle Community College District was authorized to offer additional applied baccalaureates in business/international business and technology management, interactive and artistic digital media, sustainability, building science technology, and allied and global health. Bellevue Community College was authorized to offer applied baccalaureates in information technology, health care services, and management. A two-year plan for offering the degrees must be provided to the Legislature by June 30, 2012.
Degree Authorization Fees
Budget proviso language was changed to allow the HECB (and Council for Higher Education in FY 2013) to charge fees equal to the cost of administration for degree authorization for institutions that wish to begin or continue operating in Washington. Fees previously met only 20 percent of these costs. The new fee structure will increase revenue to the state general fund by $118,000 in FY 2012 and $102,000 in FY 2013.
Aerospace Training Scholarship/Training
A $250,000 appropriation for FY 2013 was provided to implement a new aerospace training scholarship and student loan program as specified in ESHB 1846 (aerospace student loans).
GET program revisions
The Legislature passed SB 5749, with amendments from the House that provide additional legislative oversight and participation on the GET Committee, additional actuarial analysis of the program by the State Actuary, and making optional the use of services of a nationally recognized actuary.
In addition, the budget passed by the Legislature suspends new awards under the Health Professionals Conditional Scholarship program, the Washington Scholars and Washington Award for Vocational Excellence programs, and several other smaller grant programs. The Legislature maintained sufficient funding to fulfill commitments made to previously selected students in merit and conditional scholarship programs, but provided no funding for new students.
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