Investing in Iowa's Future: UNI's State Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2019

As part of the annual state budgeting process, Iowa's three Regent Intuitions presented their budget requests to the Governor on Tuesday. President Mark Nook shared UNI's request, which would allow for reasonable, predictable costs for Iowa students and their families.

UNI is dedicated to being open and accessible to all students and financial aid is a key component to ensure it's available to students and their families. To ensure that a UNI education is within reach for Iowans, UNI is requesting $2 million dollars in financial aid to support Iowa students. This is critical for UNI students as nearly 90% of UNI students are from Iowa.

UNI is also requesting infrastructure funds to support a cost-effective renovation and expansion of the Industrial Technology Center. The renovation and expansion of this facility would ensure UNI graduates continue to have the 21st century industrial, manufacturing and construction education they deserve and Iowa employers need.

Despite budget cuts last year, no increase to our base appropriation is being requested. It's important to remember that these requests are developed from a conservative budget model that is focused on setting reasonable, predictable costs for Iowa students and their families. We are committed to operating as efficiently as possible to achieve this goal.

UNI educates Iowans for Iowa. An investment in UNI is a proven investment in our state - our students are from Iowa and they stay in Iowa, they contribute to our workforce as well as our cultural and economic vitality, throughout their lives.

We ask you to please share the importance of funding UNI with your legislators!

Did You Know?

According to the Iowa College Aid Commission Report on Higher Education, Iowa ranks last in the nation for state-awarded, need-based financial aid to public university students. In 2016, only six percent of the total need-based aid annually distributed by the state goes to resident undergraduate students at Regent universities.