Higher Education

ISU President Aondover Tarhule on Friday took a practical stance as litigation continues over a lot of federal mandates. "Our first and most important responsibility is to our students,” said Tarhule.

Illinois State University's board of trustees on Friday approved a 5% tuition increase for new students arriving on campus this fall, with Chief Financial Officer Glen Nelson saying planners tried to minimize the impact of cost increases on those students.

It will cost most incoming Illinois State University undergraduate students about $1,143 more next school year, according to recommendations the administration has made to the Board of Trustees.

Lawmakers have concerns about increasing higher education funding this year, with a tight budget. They are waiting for more information to decide on a change to the funding model.

At Friday's "People Over Profits" rally, several public and higher education teacher unions came together to vocalize the state's historic lack of funding for the sector.

Heartland has four in-person and one virtual town hall planned to help the college shape its long-term strategic plan over the next 10 years.

For the first time in five years, certain forms of student loan forgiveness will be taxable following a change in federal tax policy this year.

The board that governs higher education in Illinois voted Wednesday to request $2.7 billion in general revenue funding next year, an increase of $121.6 million, or 4.6%, over the amount lawmakers approved for the current fiscal year.

Health care providers and educators worry a $100,000 lifetime limit on borrowing for graduate nursing programs, wrapped in the fine print of the Big, Beautiful Bill, could put a wrench in the workforce pipeline.

During a visit to Bloomington-Normal on Tuesday, Gov. JB Pritzker said he supports changing how state colleges and universities are funded, but wouldn't commit to releasing discretionary funds held back last fall.