Governors State Extends Tuition to Indiana Residents Seeking Graduate Degrees

Contact: Zion Banks

Governors State University

Email: zbanks@govst.edu

708.235.7685

(University Park, IL)—In a move to help reverse declining enrollment trends, the Governors State Board of Trustees has agreed to extend in-state tuition rates to Indiana residents seeking graduate degrees at the university.

Undergraduate students who live in Indiana currently receive the same in-state rate as Illinois residents.

The decrease in tuition for students seeking master’s and doctorate degrees will cost the university an estimated $150,000 in lost related revenue. However, Paul Bylaska, Vice President for Administration and Finance, says the potential gain should zero out the impact—at minimum—with an increased number of graduate students.

“We have a lot of Indiana students here as undergraduates. We’ve got a built-in market for students who are now able to remain here to continue their education. It's just natural,’’ Bylaska said.

Governors State Provost Elizabeth Cada said she hopes  the lower tuition rate will attract new students from Indiana and encourage those already studying at the university to continue their education at Governors State.

The reciprocal rate removes a barrier to higher education, she said.

“Many of our students face financial challenges as working adults supporting families, so we don’t know how many would have attended but didn’t because of the increased cost they couldn't afford to pay.’’

Bylaska said five other Illinois public universities already had extended in-state graduate tuition rates to students in bordering states and beyond, making the transition easier for Governors State, beginning this fall.

“This is a good move for the university and our students seeking to further their education right where they are,’’ he said.