The University of Wisconsin-Madison will now offer free tuition and fees for in-state students from households that make less than $56,000 a year, The Associated Press reported.
The program, called Bucky’s Tuition Promise, is the latest move by a major university to try and make higher education more accessible and affordable for students.
In-state students at UW-Madison currently pay $10,533 a year in tuition and fees.
"Indeed, if they just read the popular press about student debt and sky-rocketing tuition their assumption will be that they can't.
Similar programs are growing in popularity across higher education as advocates argue that high tuition costs are blocking students from pursuing degrees.
The same day, the university regent’s finance committee signed off on increasing nonresident and graduate tuition for three schools at UW-Madison.
The full board is expected to approve the proposed increases on Friday, the AP reported. »