For the past two years, Illinois residents could have taken advantage of a collaborative program allowing them to attend one of 140 colleges in other Midwestern states with major discounts. But, even though Illinois joined the program, no colleges in the state have yet implemented it.

An agreement between the participating states and institutions, the Midwest Student Exchange Program provides students attending certain schools access to reduced tuition rates in 12 states at colleges where they would normally pay higher costs as non-residents.

Illinois’ Board of Higher Education approved the program in December 2006.

Bob Blankenberger, a member of the board, said he thought this program would have already been implemented by Illinois colleges.

“Institutions in Illinois can participate if they want, and they are encouraged to by the Illinois Board of Higher Education,” Blankenberger said.

State Sen. Edward Maloney (D-Chicago) serves on the Board on Higher Education in Illinois and believes schools are not participating because of concerns over losing revenue.

“There is pushback from some of the universities because they feel it would be a net loss for them,” Maloney said.  “I think it would be a good idea if not all, but some, institutions, participated.”

Maloney said he doesn’t think colleges will lose money and those located on state borders could particularly benefit from the program because of the recent economic crisis.

But many Illinois institutions said they are not aware of the program.

The University of Chicago’s 2008 tuition is $36,891, with an enrollment of 14,000, according to the university’s website. As part of the MSEP program, private colleges like the University of Chicago would provide a 10 percent discount to students involved. The university’s admission office, however, is not aware of the program’s existence.

“I don’t know anything about [MSEP],” said Alicia Reyes of the University of Chicago. “Obviously, we don’t participate in the program.”

Northern Illinois University is a public institution in Illinois, and annual tuition with room and board costs $15,794 for in-state students. For out-of-state students, tuition is $22,514, according to the institution’s website.

If Northern Illinois University took part in the MSEP program, out-of-state residents would not have to pay more than 150 percent of annual Illinois resident tuition. The cost for an out-of-state student with room and board would be $20,056.

States who actively participate in the MSEP program include Michigan,  Missouri, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Minnesota.  And, as of fall 2009, Indiana will participate, according to MSEP director Jennifer Dahlquist.

Dahlquist said she sees colleges benefiting from this program and wishes Illinois institutions would implement the program.

“We have 140 campuses that participate right now,” Dahlquist said. “I get a lot of [Illinois] parents who complain about it. Finances are tight for a lot of families right now, so any way they can save money, they are trying.”

Dahlquist said campuses can use this program as an incentive for better grades and as a way to increase enrollment in lacking departments. Dahlquist said she has seen art programs increase at many participating institutions because art is a program in which many schools want to flourish.

The University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, is a participating university in the MSEP program. Few students participate in the program, but admissions director Kristina Anderson said the program is still growing.

“We might have a dozen students in MSEP. I think partly because it is new,” Anderson said. We have only been a member for a couple of years.”

The Eau Claire campus has its own parameters for who can get the reduced tuition rate, but Anderson said those parameters are not very strict.

“The intent of our program is to offer it in programs where there is capacity,” Anderson said. “When we look at programs, there are only a couple that wouldn’t have these special tuition rates.”

Anderson said nursing and social work are the two major programs at the school and are the only areas where there are too many students applying.

Until at least one college in Illinois provides students with reduced tuition rates, no students leaving Illinois or coming to Illinois can take advantage of the savings. Illinois state universities’ tuitions tend to be higher than surrounding states, and Illinois is facing a problem of exporting more students than they bring in.

“The benefits to other states may be greater than those of Illinois,” Blankenberger said. “But, it’s something that can benefit individual families and students.”

programs where there is capacity,” Anderson said. “When we look at programs, there are only a couple that wouldn’t have these special tuition rates.”

Anderson said nursing and social work are the two major programs at the school and are the only areas where there are too many students applying.

Until at least one college in Illinois provides students with reduced tuition rates, no students leaving Illinois or coming to Illinois can take advantage of the savings. Illinois state universities’ tuitions tend to be higher than surrounding states, and Illinois is facing a problem of exporting more students than they bring in.

“The benefits to other states may be greater than those of Illinois,” Blankenberger said. “But it’s something that can benefit individual families and students.”

For more information on MSEP and institutions participating in the program, visit MHEC.org