This article reports on a new national survey showing that state spending on higher education is continuing to rise throughout most of the nation and growing faster in much of the South. Total state general-fund appropriations for higher education are up by 7 percent, to $72.18-billion, in the current 2006-2007 fiscal year, according to an annual…

Discusses findings from a survey of state expenditures on higher education conducted by the Center for the Study of Education Policy at Illinois State University. Overall, spending rose by 7 percent, the third year of such an increase. When considering inflation, however, there are indications that expenditures are beginning to plateau or even…

The tight budgets that many governors have recently proposed have public colleges in a growing number of states convinced that lean times have returned. The situation is particularly dire in certain southern states. In many states, higher education budgets are taking a back seat to public schools. In some states, lack of state funding is forcing…

Describes how spending on higher education grew by 4.6 percent in 2001-02, the smallest increase in 5 years. Includes numerous data tables on state appropriations for higher education. (EV)

Discusses how the economic downturn crushed a promising plan to improve higher education in Missouri. (EV)

South Carolina has instituted a system of accountability linked to funding for its public colleges; it includes six measures of faculty, six measures of graduate preparedness to succeed, and five measures of instructional quality. The practice has transformed the way the institution operates, but some educators question the fairness and…

Total state appropriations for higher education reached their highest level ever in fiscal 1996-97, demonstrating strength in public support for higher education and a continuing modest recovery from earlier recession. Black institutions have fared less well than others, overall. Only two states saw two-year declines. Fifteen states accounted for…

Explores how most states have adopted financing systems that link colleges' appropriations to performance, despite little evidence that the plans produce results. (EV)

Many state legislatures are authorizing the largest bond issues for campus facilities in years, in part for deferred maintenance and repairs. The robust national economy appears to be the main force driving the spending trend. Ironically, some of the states best positioned to give colleges large construction windfalls are those limited…

Throughout the nation, increased state appropriations to public colleges are common; at least seven states are giving double-digit percentage increases. Lawmakers are linking funding to state goals and demanding greater accountability, and governors are willing to veto expenditures they consider excessive. Other funding issues include tuition cuts…

State spending on higher education has risen up to 30% in some states, with much of the new money paying for technology, upgrading community colleges, and providing funds to college shortchanged previously. Only Alaska and Hawaii showed net decreases. Data on 1997-98 dollar appropriations and percentage changes for each state institution and for…

In 1995-96, a leveling of state spending on student financial aid ended a five-year period of rapid growth. Most of the aid is in the form of need-based grants to undergraduates. Four states slashed need-based aid expenditures by over 10%, and 10 increased it by over 10%. Reductions are attributed to competition for funds. (MSE)

In at least ten states, often those with the lowest public-college faculty salaries, higher-education leaders have made more-competitive faculty salaries a top legislative priority this year. Many of the proposals have encountered resistance from governors and state legislators who have other budgetary priorities or who feel that public-college…

An annual survey finds that states, overall, allocated about 7 percent, or $3.7 billion, more money for college operations and student aid this year than last. Two-year colleges, historically black public universities, and student aid received particularly large increases. The good economy and legislators' willingness to invest in higher education…

Throughout the South, and to a lesser extent throughout the country, state budgets for higher education are the healthiest since 1990. In 1998 to 1999, state budgets for higher education are 6.7% more than the previous year. Community colleges, distance learning, and student aid will enjoy large gains. Three states (Alaska, Hawaii, South Carolina)…