RCW 28B.15.067
Tuition fees -- Established.

(1) Tuition fees shall be established under the provisions of this chapter.

     (2) Beginning in the 2011-12 academic year, reductions or increases in full-time tuition fees shall be as provided in the omnibus appropriations act for resident undergraduate students at community and technical colleges. The governing boards of the state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College; and the state board for community and technical colleges may reduce or increase full-time tuition fees for all students other than resident undergraduates, including nonresident students, summer school students, and students in other self-supporting degree programs. Percentage increases in full-time tuition may exceed the fiscal growth factor. The state board for community and technical colleges may pilot or institute differential tuition models. The board may define scale, scope, and rationale for the models.

     (3)(a) Beginning with the 2011-12 academic year and through the end of the 2014-15 academic year, the governing boards of the state universities, the regional universities, and The Evergreen State College may reduce or increase full-time tuition fees for all students, including summer school students and students in other self-supporting degree programs. Percentage increases in full-time tuition fees may exceed the fiscal growth factor. Reductions or increases may be made for all or portions of an institution's programs, campuses, courses, or students.

     (b) Prior to reducing or increasing tuition for each academic year, the governing boards of the state universities, the regional universities, and The Evergreen State College shall consult with existing student associations or organizations with student undergraduate and graduate representatives regarding the impacts of potential tuition increases. Governing boards shall be required to provide data regarding the percentage of students receiving financial aid, the sources of aid, and the percentage of total costs of attendance paid for by aid.

     (c) Prior to reducing or increasing tuition for each academic year, the state board for community and technical college system shall consult with existing student associations or organizations with undergraduate student representation regarding the impacts of potential tuition increases. The state board for community and technical colleges shall provide data regarding the percentage of students receiving financial aid, the sources of aid, and the percentage of total costs of attendance paid for by aid.

     (4) Beginning with the 2015-16 academic year through the 2018-19 academic year, the governing boards of the state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College may set tuition for resident undergraduates as follows:

     (a) If state funding for a college or university falls below the state funding provided in the operating budget for fiscal year 2011, the governing board may increase tuition up to the limits set in (d) of this subsection, reduce enrollments, or both;

     (b) If state funding for a college or university is at least at the level of state funding provided in the operating budget for fiscal year 2011, the governing board may increase tuition up to the limits set in (d) of this subsection and shall continue to at least maintain the actual enrollment levels for fiscal year 2011 or increase enrollments as required in the omnibus appropriations act; and

     (c) If state funding is increased so that combined with resident undergraduate tuition the sixtieth percentile of the total per-student funding at similar public institutions of higher education in the global challenge states under RCW 28B.15.068 is exceeded, the governing board shall decrease tuition by the amount needed for the total per-student funding to be at the sixtieth percentile under RCW 28B.15.068;

     (d) The amount of tuition set by the governing board for an institution under this subsection (4) may not exceed the sixtieth percentile of the resident undergraduate tuition of similar public institutions of higher education in the global challenge states.

     (5) The tuition fees established under this chapter shall not apply to high school students enrolling in participating institutions of higher education under RCW 28A.600.300 through 28A.600.400.

     (6) The tuition fees established under this chapter shall not apply to eligible students enrolling in a dropout reengagement program through an interlocal agreement between a school district and a community or technical college under RCW 28A.175.100 through 28A.175.110.

     (7) The tuition fees established under this chapter shall not apply to eligible students enrolling in a community or technical college participating in the pilot program under RCW 28B.50.534 for the purpose of obtaining a high school diploma.

     (8) Beginning in the 2019-20 academic year, reductions or increases in full-time tuition fees for resident undergraduates at four-year institutions of higher education shall be as provided in the omnibus appropriations act.

[2011 1st sp.s. c 10 § 3; 2010 c 20 § 7; 2009 c 574 § 1; 2007 c 355 § 7; 2006 c 161 § 6; 2003 c 232 § 4; 1997 c 403 § 1; 1996 c 212 § 1; 1995 1st sp.s. c 9 § 4; 1992 c 231 § 4; 1990 1st ex.s. c 9 § 413; 1986 c 42 § 1; 1985 c 390 § 15; 1982 1st ex.s. c 37 § 15; 1981 c 257 § 2.]

NOTES:

     Findings -- Intent -- Short title -- 2011 1st sp.s. c 10: See notes following RCW 28B.15.031.

     Intent -- 2010 c 20: See note following RCW 28A.175.100.

     Finding -- Intent -- 2007 c 355: See note following RCW 28B.50.534.

     Effective date -- 2006 c 161: See note following RCW 49.04.160.

     Finding -- Intent -- 2003 c 232: See note following RCW 28B.15.031.

     Severability -- 1996 c 212: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1996 c 212 § 2.]

     Intent -- Purpose -- Effective date -- 1995 1st sp.s. c 9: See notes following RCW 28B.15.031.

     Effective date -- 1992 c 231: See note following RCW 28B.10.016.

     Finding -- Severability -- 1990 1st ex.s. c 9: See notes following RCW 28A.225.220.

     Effective date -- Severability -- 1982 1st ex.s. c 37: See notes following RCW 28B.15.012.

     Severability -- 1981 c 257: See note following RCW 28B.15.031.