Public universities in Illinois are feeling the pinch. Many are waiting on millions of dollars in unpaid money from the state, and may have to make up for it with drastic tuition hikes.
The University of Illinois is waiting on $487 million in overdue state funding. To stay afloat administrators are considering things like: employee pay cuts, and the possibility of borrowing money. They're also looking at raising tuition by as much as 20-percent.
Nhan Nguyn is a sophomore at Black Hawk college but next year plans to be a junior at the University of Illinois. "I have completely my application but I didn't get the answer yet," said Nguyn.
Nguyn chose U of I for its programs and because he didn't want to burden his parents with out-of-state tuition. However, now tuition costs may be a lot steeper than he originally expected. "It's going to be a very tough decision if I still decide to get there because next year I am no the only one in my family who will transfer there. My sister is too," said Nguyn.
If tuition costs go up as much as 20% like administrators are saying, Nguyn says that might be a deal breaker. He plans to seek as much financial aid as possible, but fears he may have to look elsewhere. "I just can't handle that. Twenty percent is a lot."
"It's a sad day when costs forbid somebody from higher education institution," said Joe Rives, Vice President of Western Illinois University Quad Cities. Rives says the University of Illinois is not alone in its financial strife. Many schools, including WIU, are having to make do with less state money.
"It's a challenging time for all of us in Illinois higher education. Each institution has to decide what works best for the institution and the students they serve," added Rives.
For some schools that means cut-backs, or the possibility of borrowing the funds, to avoid a drastic tuition hike. But the responsibility may eventually fall on the students and their families. "We hope the fiscal situation turns around," said Rives.
Western Illinois University is expecting $30 million from the state of Illinois. WUI administrators have resorted to a hiring freeze and a restriction on spending to deal with the cash flow problems. So far, a tuition increase for next year has not been set for WIU students, but it likely will happen.
