Encourage state lawmakers to view their public colleges and as economic assets that provide critical competitive leverage recessionary periods; thus, operating support for public postsecondary institutions and per-student appropriations should be elevated as a state policy priority.

In 1985, tuition income represented 23 percent of public postsecondary institutions' operating revenues, with the balance of 77 percent covered by state and local appropriations. By fiscal year 2010, the tuition share of revenues had climbed to 40 percent while the state appropriations share had declined to 60 percent. The state-to-student cost shift in who pays for college is especially evident at public master's universities, where in 2009 tuition revenues accounted for 48.7 percent of Education and Related (E&R) spending, with the state funding share down to 51.3 percent.

Support states' utilization of equitable performance funding incentives that promote institutional efforts to boost degree completion, and which account for the diverse missions within the public higher education sector. In 1985, tuition income represented 23 percent of public postsecondary institutions' operating revenues, with the balance of 77 percent covered by state and local appropriations. By fiscal year 2010, the tuition share of revenues had climbed to 40 percent while the state appropriations share had declined to 60 percent. The state-to-student cost shift in who pays for college is especially evident at public master's universities, where in 2009 tuition revenues accounted for 48.7 percent of Education and Related (E&R) spending, with the state funding share down to 51.3 percent.

(1) x + 2 = 0

Encourage states to bolster their investment in need-based grant programs that promote increased access for low-income undergraduate students, especially those who are Pell-eligible.

■ Encourage states to support programs that facilitate the completion of postsecondary credentials for nontraditional student populations, such as those who are over the age of 25 and those who attend part-time.

■ Support provision of state income tax credits for students' and parents' investment in higher education, to include tuition, fees and related expenses.

■ Support tax credits for employers who provide tuition reimbursement or other incentives to employees to promote postsecondary enrollment.