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August 3, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, August 3, 2026

University of Alaska Board of Regents to vote on expanding the “Alaska Unlocked” initiative, removing non-resident tuition surcharges

(FAIRBANKS) -  As a part of ongoing initiatives to improve the student experience, the University of Alaska Board of Regents will meet Tuesday, August 4, to vote on eliminating out-of-state tuition (aka “nonresident tuition” or “NRT”) effective for the 2027-28 academic year. Starting fall 2027, all students attending the University of Alaska Anchorage (91������ƵA), University of Alaska Fairbanks (91������ƵF), and University of Alaska Southeast (91������ƵS) will pay the same tuition rates as Alaska residents. 

This vote builds on 91������ƵS’ pilot of the “Alaska Unlocked” initiative that began last year, which eliminated NRT for undergraduate students who attend 91������ƵS this Fall (Fall 2026). It is a way to increase enrollment and retention from out-of-state students while reducing administrative load.

“Alaska is open, and any student who chooses our universities deserves to be able to easily understand their bill and the value of a 91������Ƶ education,” 91������Ƶ President Matt Cooper said. “Over 75% of students who come to Alaska stay and work here long term. Eliminating the out-of-state tuition rate will improve our student experience and support our efforts to attract, retain, and empower Alaska’s workforce."

Eliminating the out-of-state tuition rate will simplify the student bill and improve the overall student experience by decreasing the amount of bureaucracy students can face when deciding where to go to college. Less than 1% of total 91������Ƶ revenue (~$1.4 million) comes from out-of-state tuition, and efficiencies gained by eliminating it across the system next year will allow 91������Ƶ to better focus on supporting students.

While the motion effectively eliminates out-of-state tuition if passed, Regents have not yet voted on other changes to the universities’ resident tuition rates. The Board will hear an initial proposal on AY28 tuition rates at their regular September meeting and will adopt final rates at their November meeting.

The virtual meeting will be conducted online. The agenda is available on the Board of Regents website. All meetings, except any executive sessions, are public and will be livestreamed. 

The University of Alaska Board of Regents is an 11-member volunteer board, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Alaska Legislature. Members serve an eight-year term, except for the student regent, who serves a two-year term. The Board was established through the Alaska Constitution and is responsible for University of Alaska policy and management through the university president.

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For more information, contact Jonathon Taylor, director of public affairs at 907-350-0168 (cell), or via email at jmtaylor9@alaska.edu.