Funding for a tuition reciprocity agreement between Wisconsin and Minnesota will be phased out, under a plan approved Tuesday by the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee.
The program allows Wisconsin college students attending schools in Minnesota to pay in-state tuition rates. State Senator Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls) was behind a motion that will phase out reciprocity starting in the fall of 2012, but keeps the supplement for students starting this fall.
The state currently covers the difference for students, but that option will disappear after 2016.
Governor Walker and Minnesota had initially proposed ending it completely next year, which Senator Bob Jauch (D-Poplar) says could have raised tuition by thousands of dollars. Jauch says that could force students to switch schools, possibly adding years to them finishing a degree.
Minnesota does have to sign off on the plan, which Jauch believes will happen because it includes a phase out period.
Over 10,000 Wisconsin students took part in the program during the last school year.