BISMARCK - A Board of Higher Education advisory panel is supporting a 5 percent limit on North Dakota college tuition increases next year.
The state's 11 public colleges have not set their tuition rates for the next academic year, and some still may ask permission to charge higher rates, said Laura Glatt, the university system's vice chancellor for administrative affairs. She said colleges also have permission to raise tuition by smaller amounts if they choose.
The board's Budget and Finance Committee reviewed recommendations on Monday to keep tuition limits at 5 percent for the 2007-08 academic year.
The committee includes three board members. The full board, which has eight voting members, will be discussing the issue Thursday during the board's next meeting in Wahpeton.
The North Dakota Legislature included the 5 percent tuition increase cap in the state university system's budget bill for the next two years.
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If any college wishes to charge higher rates, it must seek permission from the Legislature's Budget Section, an interim committee that includes members of the North Dakota House and Senate appropriations committees.
Gov. John Hoeven signed the university system's budget bill during a ceremony at Minot State University on Monday.
"This legislation, which includes a range of new grant, assistance and savings programs for students and families, will help hold the line on tuition increases and keep the cost of a college education in North Dakota affordable," the governor said.
