Will Sandoval embrace Obama’s free tuition proposal?

By Cy Ryan

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015 | 2 a.m.

Gov. Brian Sandoval is not ready to endorse President Barack Obama’s plan for free tuition for community college students in Nevada.

The governor said Monday he has only seen newspaper accounts of what the president outlined and wants his administration to study the plan, called "America's College Promise," once full details of it are available.

Sandoval noted the proposal calls for states that choose to participate in the program to pay a quarter of the cost. His executive budget to be revealed Thursday does not have any money for that.

The proposal, estimated to cost the federal government $60 billion over 10 years, could save students an average $3,800 in tuition per year. The White House estimates that if every state opted in, about 9 million students could be helped.

Community colleges in Northern Nevada were hit hard by a change in funding by the 2013 Legislature, with more money going to schools in Southern Nevada.

For instance, funding for the Great Basin College in Elko was cut by 12.5 percent for fiscal 2014 and 9.2 percent in 2015, according to the Nevada Legislative Appropriations Report.

State funding for the Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno dropped 3.4 percent in 2014 and 0.8 percent during this fiscal year. The Western Nevada Community College, headquartered in Carson City, took an 11.4 percent reduction in state funds in fiscal 2014 and 9.5 percent this fiscal year.

It is not known if the governor’s budget for the two coming fiscal years will restore that money.

Congress would have to approve the Obama plan, and the majority Republicans have shown a reluctance to adopt new, big spending programs.

Students would need to go to school at least half-time, maintain a 2.5 grade point average and make progress toward a degree.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.