Kristi Noem’s budget cut would raise dual credit costs for South Dakota students

Sioux Falls: South Dakota high school students are in for a surprise. If Governor Kristi Noem’s budget proposal goes through, they’ll be paying 50% more for dual credit courses. Right now, students chip in about $50.84 per credit hour, while the state covers the rest. But with Noem’s plan, both the state and students would pay around $76 each.

This change is part of a broader budget cut as sales tax revenues are dropping. Noem is looking to save about $1 million a year on this program. But here’s the kicker: while she’s cutting costs, she’s also suggesting $4 million in new spending for education savings accounts. These accounts would help families pay for private school or homeschooling costs.

The state’s Department of Education has weighed in, saying the budget will still let motivated students earn college credits at a lower rate. But educators are worried. They think this increase could make it tough for families to afford these classes, which are super beneficial for students and the state alike.

Last year, over 4,200 students were enrolled in the public university part of the program, and nearly 1,850 were in technical colleges. Classes are available both on-campus and online, making it pretty accessible.

According to Ashley Seeklander, a counselor in Aberdeen, this program helps students get a jump on their degrees and boosts their confidence. She noted that dual credit students tend to have better GPAs and stay in college longer. If students skip out on dual credit because of costs, they’ll face even higher fees later on—around $300 per credit hour at state universities.

The South Dakota Board of Regents is keeping an eye on this. Executive Director Nathan Lukkes mentioned that connecting with high schoolers before they head off to out-of-state colleges is a big plus. About 60% of dual credit students end up enrolling at South Dakota public universities after graduation. He hopes the proposed fee hike doesn’t stop students from taking these classes.

He said, “The last thing we want is finances standing in the way of education.” But he also expects enrollment to stabilize as high school numbers drop.

Noem’s budget cuts don’t stop there. She’s also suggested a $2 million cut to the regents’ budget and a $9 million cut to maintenance funds. The regents are still figuring out how to handle the $2 million cut without hurting students.

Lukkes emphasized the importance of keeping education affordable and high-quality. Regent Pam Roberts criticized the maintenance cut, calling it “shortsighted.” Lukkes added that it’s standard to budget a portion of a building’s value for upkeep. He warned that if they keep cutting funds, they risk long-term damage to infrastructure, which could end up costing more in the future.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Noem’s budget cut would raise dual credit costs for students