SIOUX FALLS – The South Dakota Board of Regents has approved several tuition programs aimed at recruiting students from outside the state.

The board said Wednesday that the early approval of the specialized tuition rates will give universities more time to recruit attendees from nearby states. The regents normally set tuition in March.

One program will grant the equivalent of the South Dakota resident tuition rate for first-time freshmen and transfers from Nebraska who attend Dakota State University, Northern State University, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, South Dakota State University or the University of South Dakota.

The board also approved the resident tuition rate for new Black Hills State University attendees from Colorado and Montana.

The new rates start with the 2018-19 school year.

In April 2016, the SDBOR approved a similar plan for Iowa-based students who were new first-time freshmen or new transfer students beginning in summer 2016. The move has resulted in an increase of Iowa students attending South Dakota State.

The tuition discount, based on current-year rates, is a $3,247.50 reduction for each new student taking 30 credit hours over the course of a full academic year. This will result in a savings of more than $13,000 for these students over four years.

“Nebraska has been a successful recruitment market for South Dakota State University. This program will allow us to strengthen our value for Nebraskans for years to come,” said Michaela Willis, SDSU’s vice president for student affairs. 

“We have seen increases in the number of first-year students from Nebraska in recent years and will continue to focus efforts in Nebraska with our new strategic enrollment management plan. We look forward to working with more Nebraska residents to take advantage of this new opportunity and be part of the Jackrabbits family.”