By Andrew Hollandsworth 02.11.14

If you could go back and redo your college education what would you do differently? Would you try to attend a different school? Would you try harder in high school to get a scholarship? What if I told you that as an incoming freshman you might get two years free tuition at a community college? Would you have gone to Milligan? What if?

 

Last Monday in his State of the State Address, Governor Bill Haslam announced a plan within TN’s “Drive to 55” education drive that would increase student aid to 2-3 yr. community colleges while decreasing aid to 4 yr. institutions. The plan calls for an increase in the amount of HOPE scholarship financial aid an incoming freshman receives in his or her first year at a community college as opposed to a four-year college.

 

Currently, TN ranks 21st in overall education quality, a ranking the “Drive to 55” campaign looks to increase with this proposal which is one of several initiatives. But what does Milligan administration think of the governor’s plan? In an official statement, President Greer said that Milligan “agrees with the importance of increasing educational attainment in Tennessee” but “support the stance of the Tennessee Independent College and Universities Association (TICUA) in strongly encouraging Governor Haslam to find other funding means for the Tennessee Promise program.”

 

The plan stipulates that no funding will be in tax form to any TN citizens. Four-year institutions like Milligan will still receive the same amount of financial aid money, the big difference being the timing. Lee Fierbaugh, Vice President for Enrollment Management, said that although there is no foreseen increase in tuition due to the proposal. A student’s first year is critical to continuing at Milligan. She also noted that Milligan already has a strong relationship with surrounding community colleges via transfer agreements and resources.

 

So far, Milligan administration and others have noted that the potential increase in enrollment in community colleges will strain their housing, personnel, and other important resources. Ms. Fierbaugh noted that the backloading of tuition aid could make four-year institutions less accessible and “freshman friendly.”