A STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN TO FREE MY HIGHER EDUCATION FROM:

INACESSIBILITY

Since 2008, Arizona has had the largest cuts to higher education funding in the Nation. At the same time Arizona has had one of the highest rates of tuition and fee increases in the Nation. Students are being priced out of an education or taking on lifetimes worth of student debt to pay for college. Higher Education is required by the state constitution to be "as nearly free as possible," Arizona is failing to meet this directive across the state.  
Combating this funding crisis, ASA has been mobilizing on campuses across the state of Arizona, registering students to vote, and advocating to elected officials for increased investment into higher education. Over the last couple of years ASA has been instrumental in getting additional funding into higher education. Our current goal is for the state legislature to continue to invest $40 million into the Arizona Promise Program. The Arizona Promise Program covers tuition and fees for need based students. 

STUDENT DEBT

As a nation and a state student debt is growing by the day. The Free My Higher Education campaign continues advocating for the canceling of all student debt across the nation. The millions of student loan borrowers across the nation deserve immidiate relief. ASA efforts have contributed to presidential candidates including a plan for student debt cancellation in thier platforms to the current efforts by the Biden Administration to #CancelStudent Debt. It is due to advocacy of students across the nation that we see student debt cancellation currently becoming a reality. 

To date the Biden Administration has provided debt relief to 4 million borrowers with plans to provide relief for 26 million more. 

INEQUITY & INEQUALITY

FOOD & HOUSING INSECURITY

HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING IN ARIZONA

Since 2008, the State of Arizona has had some of largest cuts to state higher education funding in the nation; matched with some of the highest increases to tuition and fees.  Causing many Arizona students to take on multiple jobs, take out large amounts of student loans, or be priced out of college all together.  While we have achieved many victories in restoring funding to higher education over the last couple of years; incorporating inflation and overall increased enrollment at our universities and community colleges we are still falling short in per student funding.  We must maintain current funding levels while continuing to invest additional dollars into ensuring all Arizonans have access to a higher education that is "As Nearly Free As Possible" just as our state constitution requires.
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ASA is currently engaging in advocacy efforts with local, state & national elected and appointed officials on solutions to the higher education funding crisis in Arizona & DC. 

As the graph above shows, the state of Arizona has continued to invest in the Department of Corrections at higher rates than higher education. It is time for Arizona to invest in Education Not Incarceration!

2009

2022

HIGHER EDUCATION INVESTMENT VICTORIES IN FY24

  • Increases funding for rural and tribal community colleges.  Adds $14 million in one-time funding is provided beyond the funding formula requirements. 

  • Funds Pima Community College operating aid. Maricopa and Pima community college districts were removed from the state operating funding formula. The new budget provides $2 million in one-time funding for Pima Community College, while Maricopa County Community College District remains unfunded. 

  • Invests in career and technical education workforce training at Arizona Western College. $15 million for workforce training at Arizona Western Community College (Yuma). 

  • Doubles the Promise program. Funding for the Promise program, which offers scholarships to Arizona high school graduates, has increased from $20 million to $40 million. 
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  • Increases funding for future teachers. An additional $15 million is allocated to fund the Teachers Academy at state universities, bringing the total funding to $30 million.