Nixon calls for tuition freeze at public universities

Gov. Jay Nixon announced yesterday an agreement between his office and the state’s public two- and four-year institutions to freeze 2016-17 academic year tuition for Missouri undergraduates while he makes room in his fiscal 2017 budget for a record higher-education spend.

Nixon said in a news release his fiscal 2017 budget would include an additional $55.7 million for higher education, which is a 6 percent increase that would bring total state funding for the sector to a record $985 million next year.

“I am proud to announce that under my budget, Missouri undergraduates won’t pay a penny more in tuition next year. This tuition freeze is good for students, families and our economy as a whole,” Nixon said in the release. “Because the less debt students take on when they’re in school, the more they can spend when they graduate – buying a car, starting a business and pursuing their dreams.”

This is the fourth tuition freeze the governor has announced since taking office in 2009.

In the agreement, Show-Me State colleges and universities have committed to dedicate at least $9.2 million of the $55.7 million increase to programs related to science, technology, engineering and math fields.

“Missouri’s public universities are dedicated to keeping college affordable so that the doors of our institutions are open to every student who works hard to achieve their dreams,” said Missouri State University President Clif Smart, president of the Council on Public Higher Education in Missouri, in the release. “On behalf of four-year institutions across the state, I applaud Gov. Nixon for his leadership and commitment to higher education quality and affordability, and we look forward to working with members of the General Assembly to secure this needed investment and holding tuition flat next year for Missouri undergraduates.”