Traditionally, Texas has provided a good bargain for higher education, but Texans may soon be coughing up more dollars to get a seat in the state's college classrooms.
If lawmakers get their way universities may get back into the black, but students may get deeper in the red.
The future University of Texas Class of 2007 has already rolled in for freshman orientation. As a new chapter in these students' lives begins, the uncertainty of higher tuition bills faces them.
John Musil, a recent Austin High School graduate, comes from a middle-class working family and is not eligible for financial aid.
"If they go up any more we are going to have to get some loans, and pay interest on them," Musil said.
UT senior Misty Conine needs one more year to finish school, but she fears higher tuition might mean more time to graduate.
"They feel they'll do a lot better things for students, but I feel that'll cut out the opportunity for some students," Conine said.
House Speaker Tom Craddick feels it's necessary to put tuition rates in the hands of university board regents.
The deregulation, according to Craddick, would save the state $500 million. It's a move university officials say is needed to cover the rising cost not budgeted by the state for higher education.
"Given the cuts that are being considered this year for the funding of institutions, it was going to be very difficult to maintain quality education for anybody," UT system Vice Chancellor Teresa Sullivan said.
Under a Senate backed plan $23 would be added to each semester hour in 2004. The next year it would be $24 and in 2005 deregulation would be put to the test.
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Tuition deregulation
Deregulation would save the state money but raise tuition fees.
 
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Sullivan claims deregulation means flexible rates.
"On a campus where afternoon classes are not well subscribed to, you could lower the tuition for the afternoon classes, but leave where it is for the morning or evening classes," she said.
UT Student Government President Brian Haley has been busy calling lawmakers urging them not to pass tuition deregulation, but his struggle is drawing to a close.
Both the House and Senate have passed their versions of a tuition deregulation bill. It is now in conference committee.
"To deregulate tuition is taking this temporary problem of a budget deficit or lack of state appropriations and making it a permanent solution by silencing the voices of students," Haley said.
Students like Musil say they are hoping lawmakers will put tuition deregulation on hold until the next legislative session in 2005.
House Speaker Tom Craddick hopes to have tuition deregulated by this session. If that were to happen, tuition around the state could rise by September 2003.
