A new higher education funding formula is being discussed in Illinois that would transfer student costs, such as tuition, to taxpayers in order to create a more “equitable” system. This topic was discussed at a hearing in Springfield by the Illinois House Appropriation-Higher Education Committee.
However, there has been some pushback in the Illinois Senate and concerns raised about the formula potentially conflicting with discrimination laws. State Rep. Paul Jacobs expressed concerns about students leaving the state for education, citing the lack of attractiveness of Illinois universities as a factor. He emphasized that simply pouring more money into schools may not solve the issue.
Statistics show that over half of Illinois students planning to attend four-year colleges end up going to out-of-state schools, with many choosing neighboring states for their education. Factors like cost, location, academic reputation, and social environment play a significant role in students’ decisions to leave Illinois for education.
State Rep. Carol Ammons, co-chair of the Commission on Equitable Public University Funding, believes that high tuition costs are driving students away from Illinois. The commission’s report highlighted a funding gap in public universities, estimating that an additional $100 million to $135 million annually could help bridge the divide.
Concerns were also raised about Title IX implications of the new funding formula and potential loss of federal funding if discrimination issues arise. The formula values students differently based on factors like race and location, leading to concerns about incentivizing universities to admit students based on these factors.
Overall, the new funding formula aims to shift the responsibility of paying for tuition costs from students to state taxpayers over time. This shift has raised questions about the implications for Illinois taxpayers and the long-term sustainability of funding higher education in the state.
