Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF2352

Introduced
2/7/24  
Introduced
2/7/24  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to the amount of tuition and mandatory fees charged by institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents and making appropriations.

Impact

To facilitate this tuition freeze, the bill mandates annual appropriations starting February 1, 2025, to compensate institutions for losses incurred from the frozen fee structure. This financial backing is aimed at ensuring that colleges and universities do not suffer budgetary shortfalls as a result of the changes. The bill's provisions include a sunset clause, meaning that the policy will be repealed on July 1, 2032, unless further action is taken by the legislature to extend it.

Summary

House File 2352 proposes a significant reform regarding tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate students at institutions governed by the state board of regents. Specifically, the bill stipulates that for students admitted between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2028, their tuition rates will remain consistent over their first four academic years, effectively freezing tuition for these cohorts. This policy is intended to create stability and predictability in educational costs, helping students and families better plan for the financial demands of higher education.

Contention

This bill has been met with mixed reactions. Proponents argue that freezing tuition provides necessary relief for students and families amid rising costs of education, thus promoting wider access to higher education. However, critics may raise concerns about the long-term funding implications for institutions as the freeze could hinder their ability to cover operational costs without sufficient state backing. Additionally, there might be discussions around how this policy aligns with broader educational funding reforms and the state’s commitment to higher education.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA HF2558

A bill for an act relating to higher education, including by modifying the responsibilities of private institutions of higher education, community colleges, the state board of regents, and institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents, modifying provisions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, tuition, and administrator hiring at state universities, membership of the state board of regents, and student-employer work and tuition programs at state universities and community colleges, and including applicability provisions. (Formerly HF 2327.)

IA SF2020

A bill for an act relating to the waiver of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees charged to certain specified first responders and dependents of such first responders who are enrolled in institutions of higher education under the state board of regents.

IA HSB329

A bill for an act providing for a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees at regents institutions and community colleges for peace officers and their legal dependents and making appropriations.

IA HF2327

A bill for an act relating to higher education, including diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, tuition, and administrator hiring at state universities, membership of the state board of regents, and student-employer work and tuition programs at state universities and community colleges.(See HF 2558.)

IA SSB1222

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents.

IA HF2704

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents; modifying provisions related to compulsory education, open enrollment, the state board of regents presidential search committee, the Iowa tuition grants program, and the Iowa dyslexia board; establishing restrictions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of institutions of higher education governed by the state board of regents; providing penalties; and including effective date and applicability provisions.

IA HF1045

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents, and including contingent effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 337.)

IA HSB337

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents, and including contingent effective date provisions.(See HF 1045.)

IA SF336

A bill for an act requiring that regents universities and community colleges waive a percentage of the tuition and mandatory fees for children of veterans with service-connected disabilities.

IA HSB6

A bill for an act relating to in-state residency for purposes of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees at regents institutions and community colleges for certain military personnel and family members.(See HF 175.)

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.