Officials with the University System of New Hampshire say they hope to freeze in-state tuition for the 2018 and 2019 academic years.
That’s if state budget writers approve the university system’s spending request: $88.5 million in 2018 and $93.5 million in 2019. That's a roughly $20 million increase from what state budget writers gave the system in the current state spending plan.
Todd Leach, chancellor of the university system, says he’s pleased the proposal has the backing of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire, the state’s largest business advocacy organization.
“We can’t not do something about this workforce problem and expect to have a strong economy,” Leach stressed to lawmakers Friday.
Besides a tuition freeze, the university system is also hoping to offer free in-state tuition to all valedictorian and salutatorians at state high schools, as well as new scholarships for students pursuing science, technology and engineering degrees.
According to a new report, New Hampshire college graduates are strapped with the highest student debt in the country, averaging over 36-thousand per person.
