The state's university system voted to spend more than $6 million in new grants and scholarships for students — but also increases tuition by more than 2 percent —as part of a budget plan passed on Monday.
Officials say the increase is part of a larger trend over the past few years, as the university system has shifted more financial aid into grants and scholarships and reduced student loans.
Trevor Hustus is a student trustee to the board.
"This investment allows students, previously not considering college attendance, now actively enrolled in degree programs in our institutions," Hustus says.
The tuition increase follows a similar tuition bump last year. Many students are still leaving school with substantial debt. A report discussed at Monday's board meeting showed that the average debt of a university system graduate in 2016 was more than $28,000. That is slightly higher than the national average for public four-year colleges.
