Missouri Colleges And Universities

College price calculators may not paint complete picture

When the annual college search season gets under way this fall, parents and students will have a new tool at their disposal.

By the end of October, the nation's colleges and universities will be offering net price calculators on their websites, providing an easier way to compare attendance costs from one school to the next. At least, that's the goal of the federal law requiring the calculators.

Most higher education experts like the idea behind the new rule, which should give students and families a better idea of college costs much earlier in the game. But they also see potential for problems with the fledgling rule.

Among the biggest issues is the balancing of simplicity versus accuracy.

The calculator works by collecting information through a series of on-screen questions about the student's financial and academic background. The more questions it asks, the more accurate the results. But there is a fear that students may be scared away if the questions are too complex or numerous.

There also are concerns about using year-old financial information that doesn't take tuition and other price increases into account. And the possibility that some schools could use the devices as misleading marketing tools.

"Institutions can game these a little bit to work in their favor, as long as they comply with specific regulations. There's lots of wiggle room," said Richard Hesel, an education consultant with Baltimore-based Art & Science Group.

By law, the calculators are supposed to add up a laundry list of college costs — including tuition, fees, books, housing and food — and then subtract grants and scholarships a student is likely to receive. What's left is the net price.

That's just the sort of thing that could have come in handy for Brianna Petersen of Monett, Mo., who will be heading to the University of Missouri-Columbia in the fall. She chose Mizzou from a pool of four schools, with price being one of her biggest concerns. While it was easy to nail down the basics — tuition and room and board — she said it was much more difficult to figure out various fees and how much she would get from scholarship and financial aid.

Taking away some of the murkiness was the fact that she has helped her older brother navigate his way to Missouri State University. So she was prepared for some of the sticker shock.

"For kids who don't have an older sibling in school, it would be a complete slap in the face," Petersen said.

Show Me Progress:: Governor Jay Nixon (D) signs HB 233 into law at ...

This evening Governor Jay Nixon (D) signed HB 233 into law in a ceremony at Missouri Boys State on the stage at Hendricks Hall on the campus of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.

HB 233 will, in part, help Missouri university nursing programs hire additional faculty to help address a nursing shortage in the state.

Governor Jay Nixon (D) (seated, center) signs HB 233 surrounded by Missouri Boys State citizens (left) and June 16, 2011

House Bill 223 becomes law in front of 933 high school students selected to attend 2011 Missouri Boys State

Gov. Nixon signs bill to increase scholarships for math and science students, provide resources to train more nurses

WARRENSBURG, Mo. - Gov. Jay Nixon today used the setting of a leadership program for high school students to sign legislation that provides more scholarships to Missouri students pursuing college degrees in science and math. House Bill 223, signed by the Governor in front of more than 900 students attending Missouri Boys State, also puts additional resources in Missouri's nursing programs to meet the growing demand for nurses.

"We want to make sure that we're preparing our students to enter careers where they can be successful in a changing economy," Gov. Nixon said. "We can do that by identifying industries poised for growth, and aligning our curriculum priorities to meet those needs. Engineers, scientists, innovators and educators play a key role in our global economy. By promoting, encouraging and supporting these core subjects, we can better prepare Missouri's college students to be competitive in our global economy."

The section adding resources so Missouri's colleges and universities can produce more nurses is also critical, the Governor said.

"Missouri needs more nurses, and this bill will help meet that demand," Gov. Nixon said. "It provides up to $150,000 to each of those programs so they can hire additional faculty to train more nurses. Once it is fully in place, we expect to train more than 130 additional nursing students each year."

House Bill 223, the Advanced Placement Incentive Grant Program for STEM and Caring for Missourians Nursing Education Incentive, passed both chambers of the Missouri General Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support.