Waivers for non-Utahns at state schools advance

The number of out-of-state students who can attend Utah schools at in-state tuition rates could double under a bill passed out of the House of Representatives on Monday.

The measure, sponsored by Rep. Craig Buttars, R-Lewiston, would increase the number of students who can receive waivers of the non-resident portion of their tuition from 500 to 900.

Of the 900 waivers, 675 would cover the entire non-resident portion and 225 would cover half of the out-of-state tuition.

Buttars said the bill, which passed on a 73-1 vote, is targeted for Utah State University, which has seen declining enrollment from Wyoming and Idaho. That decrease, he said, could mean the university will have to shut down certain classes.

"We do need to supplant some of those classes with out-of-state students so we can keep those good quality programs," Buttars said.

The bill does not contain specific language addressing USU and could increase the number of tuition waivers at any state school.