By Maura Lerner

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Minnesota State’s 37 public colleges and universities would freeze tuition through 2019 in exchange for a $178 million increase in state funding, under a proposal released Tuesday.

If approved, this would mean that tuition at the state’s two-year community and technical colleges would not have increased for six years in a row, since the rates were first frozen in 2012.

For students at Minnesota’s seven state universities, it would be the fifth tuition freeze in six years.

“We’re asking for what we believe we need to serve students and preserve our commitment to access,” said Vice Chancellor Laura King.

Under the proposal, the system is seeking a 13 percent increase over the next two years. It includes $145 million to cover a projected 3 percent annual increase in expenses, as well as $25 million for a new technology system and $10 million in scholarships and grants to reduce disparities and improve student success.

In all, it would boost the total state appropriation to $733.4 million in the 2017-18 school year and to $791.2 million in 2018-19.

The board of trustees will formally vote on the proposal in November.
—Distributed by Tribune Content Agency.