Current Issues  

NAU tuition proposal announced; most undergrads to see no increase
Feb. 24, 2012—Northern Arizona University is proposing that next year's tuition rates remain the same for most continuing undergraduates, coupled with a modest increase to the current rate for incoming students, keeping NAU's resident tuition the lowest in the state. Read more...

The current economic climate has challenged Arizona's universities to simultaneously find ways to do more with less public support while maintaining the quality of education for an ever-increasing student population. Last fall, the state Legislature tasked the Arizona Board of Regents with producing reports on financial aid funding, disparity funding and performance-based funding that would allow the state to examine current andfuture public funding models for the institutions. Each university presented its findings to Regents, which were then submitted to the Legislature for consideration.

Disparity Funding
Northern Arizona University's examination of disparity funding found that the current state funding per full-time student is $6,598 at the University of Arizona, $5,702 at Arizona State University and $5,840 atNorthern Arizona University. From a historical perspective, the disparity was a result of divergent missions of the three universities and significant enrollment growth at ASU and NAU over the last 50 years. Guided by the philosophy is that every student attending one of Arizona's public universities is supported with the same state appropriation, the report proposes a five-year plan to gradually bring NAU and ASU up to the same per-student funding level as exists at UA. The full report is available here.
Performance-based Funding
ASU presented a comprehensive report detailing a new model for funding higher education institutions that relies on performance-based metrics, binding state support to retention and graduation rates. The report integrates enrollment, retention, graduation and research expenditure goals set forth for each of the universities in the Regents' 2020 Vision strategic plan. 
Financial Aid Funding
UA focused its report on student-centered financial aid that improves degree affordability by striking a balance between the student's contribution with federal, institutional and state-funded financial aid. The report offers several options to improve financial aid including implementing a need- and performance-based program, a workforce contingent loan forgiveness plan and creation of financial literacy programs. The full report is available here.