State Reviews College Funding

The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development wants to bring back a previous funding model for colleges and universities. During a state legislative Joint Committee on Education hearing Wednesday, Commissioner Zora Mulligan said the approach would dole out state aid based on performance.

Missouri currently funds public colleges and universities through a model giving each school virtually the same percentage increase or reduction annually. Paul Wagner, with the Council on Public Higher Education, which represents nine public colleges, said the council would be “extremely uncomfortable” if a formula was used holding the schools response for life choices made by students.