Oklahoma House committee approves college tuition bill

<br>(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Oklahoma colleges and universities could decide their tuition rates under a bill heading to the state House of Representatives. <br><br>A House committee Wednesday approved the

Wednesday, February 19th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Oklahoma colleges and universities could decide their tuition rates under a bill heading to the state House of Representatives.

A House committee Wednesday approved the bill that removes a 7% limit on tuition increases and allows the State Regents for Higher Education to set tuition and fees. It also calls for more scholarships and financial aid for low-income students.

Tuition at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University would not be higher than the average of schools in the Big 12 Conference.

Tuition at the two schools is currently the lowest in the conference.

Tuition at other colleges and universities would be no higher than the average of similar state-supported institutions in adjacent states.

The presidents of OU and OSU told the committee that the quality of higher education will suffer without more financial support.

Colleges and universities have been forced to cut their budgets because of a statewide revenue shortfall.