New Arizona Board of Regents proposed High-School Graduate Non-Resident Tuition Rate undergoes first review

A new, proposed Arizona high-school graduate non-resident tuition rate was reviewed in detail during its first reading of the policy at the Arizona Board of Regents’ May 4 meeting.

Students who attended and graduated from an Arizona high school, but are not currently eligible for in-state tuition could utilize the new non-resident rate of 150 percent of resident undergraduate tuition. Students would need to be lawfully present in Arizona, attend an in-state high school for three or more years during grades 9-12, and graduate from an Arizona high school, or attain the equivalent while physically present in Arizona for a minimum of three years.

“The Arizona Board of Regents is committed to the success of all qualified students,” said Mark Killian, Arizona Board of Regents chairman. “We’re working to broaden higher education access for students in Arizona, and help more students improve their lives, the livelihood of their families and contribute to our state’s economy.”

The proposed policy would apply to all Arizona high-school graduates who are not eligible for in-state tuition. Students who moved out of state after high school but who wish to return to Arizona would be eligible. Students who are lawfully present under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program could also qualify for this proposed reduced non-resident rate. The board is expected to vote on the policy at the Arizona Board of Regents meeting on June 4 in Tucson.

The board recognizes the financial hardship current Arizona laws create for undocumented students who struggle to pay for college, especially for students who have lived most of their lives in Arizona, graduated from high school and want to continue their education at our public universities. The board also recognizes the value of encouraging students who have graduated from Arizona high schools to return to Arizona for their university education.

“The state has already made a significant investment in these students through the K-12 system,” said Regent Rick Myers. “Regents are interested in providing a more affordable way to finance their education to encourage hard-working students to stay in our state and contribute to Arizona’s workforce, which will require some type of postsecondary education for two-thirds of all jobs by 2018.”

“I believe this is the right thing to do and is in line with our mission to provide access to all students in Arizona,” said Regent LuAnn Leonard. 

The Arizona high-school graduate rate supports ABOR’s 2020 goals that include defined metrics to increase degree production, answer the need for graduates in high-demand fields, such as science, technology, engineering, math and healthcare, and increase the diversity of graduates. It would apply to tuition for undergraduate students with all admission requirements and fees remaining unchanged. If approved, the policy would be effective beginning in fall 2015 for new, continuing and transfer students.

The rate is similar to the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) that allows non-resident students from other western states to enroll in the WUE program at a tuition rate of 150 percent of Arizona base resident tuition.