North Dakota university leaders fear 'catastrophic implications' of new Minnesota free tuition plan
North Dakota higher education officials are deeply worried about losing students and revenue in 2024 when neighboring Minnesota makes tuition free for thousands of its residents at public colleges and universities BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota higher education officials are deeply worried about losing students and revenue in 2024 when neighboring Minnesota makes public college and university tuition free for thousands of residents. Officials estimate around 15,000 to 20,000 Minnesota students a year will use the free North Star Promise program, and North Dakota Education officials are projecting an $8.4 million loss in combined tuition and fees in the first year alone, under one scenario. Roughly 1,400 Minnesota students attending North Dakota colleges and universities might be eligible for the new program. “This has catastrophic implications," said David Cook, North Dakota State University's president, at a recent State Board of Higher Education meeting. "This is a ve...