On Monday, Governor Bill Owens signed the nation's first-ever college voucher program. It will award a stipend usable at any state university to all Colorado undergraduates who qualify for in-state tuition, with a smaller stipend made available for low-income students attending three private universities. The state already spends about $700 million on higher education each year. Today, however, that money flows directly into the colleges. Under the new voucher program, it will flow only if students enroll in them. "The institutions will now compete for students because state aid now arrives on campus with the student," Owens said. "The more students you attract, the better your institution can do." Lawmakers can already foresee problems, though, starting with too little money in the state treasury. The size of the voucher may have to be cut. And some wonder whether providing a stipend to every student will encourage schools to raise tuition, thus making it even harder for low-income people to enroll. One can also anticipate a court challenge to the private and religious school component. Stay tuned.
"College voucher plan becomes law in Colorado," by Steven K. Paulson, Boston Globe, May 11, 2004
"College vouchers become law today," by John C. Ensslin, Rocky Mountain News, May 10, 2004
"Nation's first college voucher program OK'd," CNN.com, May 10, 2004