Rick Scott Warns Board of Governors About Raising Higher Ed Costs

Gov. Rick Scott warned the Florida Board of Governors about raising fees in a letter sent out on Wednesday. Every state university save Florida Atlantic University and Florida Gulf Coast University is increasing tuition in the next academic year. The Board of Governors is meeting on Thursday and raising fees is on the agenda.

Last year this body met to determine how much university tuition would increase -- in most cases to consider demands for double-digit increases amounting to millions of dollars, Scott wrote. This year, we have been able to provide for unprecedented performance funding, and no university has requested an increase in the tuition differential charged to students and parents. A major change is underway. Funding for higher education in Florida has changed -- from a system that relied on increasing costs for students and families to one that instead awards funding to those institutions that best serve our students in obtaining degrees and jobs that pay well in our state.

We are making this great progress together, Scott insisted. I fully support the work that is being done by the Finance Committee to set goals and the metrics to award performance funds in the coming year. Higher education funding should be informed and motivated by student achievement, and not simply student enrollment. We will continue to explore more opportunities to allocate higher education funding based on three major priorities: 1) the amounts students pay for their degree; 2) if students get a job when they graduate; and 3) how much students are able to earn after graduation.

While I am incredibly appreciative of the progress we have made, it is equally important that we remain vigilant on increases in fees paid by our students and their families. Their ability to get an education and a great job is our most important charge. I would ask that you consider those students and families first as you prepare to vote on the university fee increase proposals tomorrow, Scott continued.

For many students, an increase in tuition or fees would mean an increase in the debt burden they will carry following their graduation at a time when interest rates on student loans are scheduled to double, Scott wrote. Even without this increase, a recent study discussed in the attached article from the Boston Globe shows that 70 percent of the class of 2013 is graduating with debt averaging $35,200. The costs are also staggering for families who are looking to get a start on higher education costs. The price of a four-year university Florida Prepaid plan for a newborn increased from $14,616 in 2006-07 to $53,729 this year because of the dramatic increase in tuition costs. The attached presentation from the Florida Prepaid College Board shows that families who purchase a Florida Prepaid plan today pay over 350 percent more than they would have just six years ago.

I look forward to our work together next year to continue shifting the burdens of higher education funding away from the pocketbooks of students and families and onto a system that rewards universities showing results in serving our students, Scott wrote in conclusion. And, while we are doing this, I am optimistic that we can also stem the increases that have occurred as a result of rising tuition for Florida Prepaid Scholarship customers. Thank you again for your work on behalf of Florida students, families and taxpayers.