College affordability has become a serious concern for Kentucky families, as the burden of college costs has shifted from the state to students. CPE worked with its partners on several initiatives to increase college access and affordability during the 2022-23 academic year.
Monitoring Tuition and Fees: In 2023, the Council approved a slightly higher increase in tuition ceilings for academic years 2023-24 and 2024-25 based on relevant state and national data. The new rates provide an appropriate balance between the resource needs of institutions and college affordability for students and families. CPE staff monitored the impact of approved ceilings over the last year and will determine future adjustments in the upcoming biennium.
■ Total Cost of Attendance Data: CPE staff recently compiled data showing the total cost of attendance by institution, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies and other relevant expenses. The research examines tuition and fees as a percent of total price, noting the percentage change over the last decade. Staff will use this research to assist in future policy making and the development of the 2025-27 tuition and fee recommendation.
■ Monitoring Student Debt Levels: CPE recently released a report on student debt levels among undergraduate students attending a KCTCS college or Kentucky public university. The report shows the proportion of students graduating with loan debt fell nearly 15 percentage points over the last several years, from 58.1% in 2017-18 to 43.2% in 2022-23. Additionally, among completers who graduated with debt, average loan balances fell from $29,224 to $26,414 over the same period, a decline of $2,810 or 9.6%.
■ Financial oversight: Staff continued to fine-tune a process for assessing the financial health of campuses. The analysis evaluates fiscal stability and sustainability, as well as gauging institutional susceptibility to market risk factors. CPE has worked with several institutions on a voluntary basis and is looking to expand this work as staff capacity allows.
■ Performance Funding: CPE staff convened the Postsecondary Education Working Group on Performance Funding during the 2023 calendar year to conduct a three-year comprehensive review of Kentucky's public university and KCTCS performance funding models (KRS 164.092). The review focused on current and expected outcomes, unintended consequences for institutions and potential adjustments to the model. As a result, the work group recommended five changes to the university model and six changes to the KCTCS model. All suggestions were approved by the 2024 General Assembly, with an additional request to define a new metric for underrepresented students using criteria other than race.
funding models (KRS 164.092). The review focused on current and expected outcomes, unintended consequences for institutions and potential adjustments to the model. As a result, the work group recommended five changes to the university model and six changes to the KCTCS model. All suggestions were approved by the 2024 General Assembly, with an additional request to define a new metric for underrepresented students using criteria other than race.
FAFSA awareness campaign: In light of substantial changes made to the 2024-25 FAFSA form, GEAR UP Kentucky and KHEAA conducted a public awareness campaign to prepare students for the new application process. The promotion included statewide TV and radio commercials via the Kentucky Broadcasters' Association's Public Education Partnership program, a social media campaign and an online resource hub for students.
■ Affordable Learning KY (ALKY): This Kentucky Virtual Library (KYVL) initiative promotes student success and fosters educational equity by supporting the adoption, adaptation and creation of affordable, Open Educational Resources (OER) in the Commonwealth. Over the past year, ALKY held a symposium celebrating Open Education (OE) Week that brought together over 75 state and national experts to discuss topics such as artificial intelligence, accessibility and social justice in OE. ALKY also has established a learning community focused on Manifold, an OER publishing platform currently available to all postsecondary institutions in the KYVL consortium.
■ Innovative Scholarship Pilot Program: In partnership with KHEAA, CPE piloted a program supported with General Fund dollars to provide college access and promote undergraduate student success for displaced students (foreign nationals seeking or receiving U.S. asylum or resettled refugees), as well as students participating in international exchange programs. CPE was recognized by the National Association of System Heads (NASH) as a recipient of the Scaling for Change Award in the spring of 2024 for this work.
■ Students' Right-To-Know: Kentucky continues to be recognized for this novel, interactive web tool managed by CPE and KYSTATS. The site provides information about postsecondary program costs and allows students to research employment outcomes and salary information for graduates by academic program. The site is currently being overhauled to improve its usability and usefulness.