[mpoverlay]Southern University trustees will today discuss a measure to reduce out-of-state tuition for students living in nearby areas in Mississippi, Texas, and Arkansas in an effort to boost enrollment and revenues.

(Southern University Board Member Tony) Clayton said he thinks the university could attract up to 400 freshmen students from southwestern Mississippi right away and 1,000 first-year students from Texas over the next two years.

“You’ve got students from Wilkinson County in Mississippi who live about 30 minutes away from Southern, but right now, it’s cheaper for them to go to school at Jackson State two hours away,” Clayton said.

Full-time undergraduate students from Louisiana paid $2,589 for the spring semester, according to Southern’s fee chart. Comparable out-of-state residents paid $3,269. (The Advocate)

The tuition waiver would require some academic achievement stipulations, according to Southern officials. Incoming freshmen would have to score at least a 20 on the ACT, and maintain a 2.75 to keep the waiver.[/mpoverlay]

Southern University