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Washington's underfunded GET tuition program could get a boost from overseas. (AP Photo/file)

Foreign college students could help rescue GET

BY Tim Haeck  on February 15, 2013 @ 10:07 am (Updated: 12:37 pm - 2/15/13 )

Washington's underfunded GET tuition program could get a boost from overseas.

A bill that got a hearing in the State Senate Thursday would hike college tuition by 2 percent for international students starting with the 2013-2014 school year, with the extra money going to help fund the Guaranteed Education Tuition program.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Rodney Tom (D-Medina), argued that foreign students are taking advantage of programs for which they don't pay taxes.

International students make up about 6 percent of the student body at Washington State University and about 10 percent of undergraduates at The University of Washington.

Opponents worry that the surcharge will drive away international students and one critic says foreign students should not have to pay for a program they don't use.

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
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  • Sean wrote...
    Really?
    February 15, 2013 12:11 pm
    "One critic says foreign students should not have to pay for a program they don't use." Quite interesting. I just wonder how much in TAXES for the last decade or two that these foreign students' families have paid for the construction, operation and maintenance of our universities, like our own residents most certainly HAVE. I'm guessing it's about, oh... ZERO. Pony-up, foreigners.
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