Dive Brief:

• Iowa legislators have voted to increase funding and freeze tuition for the state’s three public universities.
• State funding will increase by 4% for both the University of Iowa (now $230.9 million) and Iowa State University (now $180.9 million). State funding for the University of Northern Iowa will increase 4% plus $2.6 million, to $89.2 million.
• The funding increases were needed to guarantee that tuition didn't increase for in-state students. The additional funds for the University of Northern Iowa were partly due to it having more Iowans as students.

Dive Insight:

Not only did legislators act to keep tuition frozen for a second year, but they also approved a general aid increase to community colleges of 4.1%, or $8 million, to $201.3 million. They added $2 million for the state Department of Education administration and cut $1 million that was to go to anti-bullying efforts. For the state’s K-12 overhaul, they added $50.5 million for a program that rewards teachers who take on mentoring and leadership roles, The Des Moines Register reported. The state education budget now goes to Gov. Terry Branstad for his approval.