PHOENIX — Karter Neal knew she wanted to be a veterinarian and practice in Arizona, but she also knew it was going to be tough financially because the state lacks a school of veterinary medicine. That meant paying out-of-state tuition someplace else.
"I would've graduated with so much debt it would've been difficult for me to have a career and make a living after graduation," Neal said.
But she was able to pay resident tuition at Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine under a regional education exchange program called the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, or WICHE.
The taxpayer-funded program helps Arizonans study veterinary medicine, optometry, dentistry and other subjects not taught at public universities here. Students from other member states can study medicine, pharmacy and other subjects here for resident tuition.
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In return, Arizona's WICHE participants have to practice here for the number of years they used the program. Neal returned to Tucson and now serves as medical director of the Humane Society of Southern Arizona and a director for the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association.
"I am grateful to this state for supporting my education and am glad to give my service back," Neal said.
But about one out of five Arizonans helped by WICHE don't fulfill their service commitments. In those cases, participants are required to pay back half of what the state subsidizes plus interest.
Lawmakers have introduced House and Senate bills this legislative session that would require repayment in full plus interest in such cases.
"If students decide to use taxpayer money and not come back, then they're breaking the contract and should pay back all the money spent on their behalf," said Ed Ableser, D-Tempe, sponsor of HB 2136.
"It's about fairness to Arizona citizens," said Sen. Paula Aboud, D-Tucson, the primary sponsor of SB 1369. "It's not fair to subsidize the education of other students who then don't come back."
For the current academic year, the Legislature appropriated $4.1 million for 203 students to participate in WICHE.
Ableser's bill won a unanimous endorsement Jan. 29 from the House Committee on Higher Education and was awaiting consideration by the Rules Committee.
Aboud's had yet to reach committee as of Tuesday.
Neither bill offers an exemption from full repayment, but Aboud said she wants to recognize extenuating circumstances.
If either bill becomes law, Arizona would join six other states that require students to pay back in full if they don't fulfill their service commitments. Five states have no service commitment.
According to Margo Schultz, regional coordinator for WICHE, 82 percent of the people who go through the program in Arizona return and work as their repayment, the highest return rate of any state. She also said that the average rate of return for states with required repayment is 74 percent versus 39 percent for states who do not have any requirements for service or payment.
Louise Lynch, the certifying WICHE officer for Arizona, said that while she supports the idea of full repayment she has questions about whether it would bring more people back to the state to work.
"I don't know that it's going to change things very much because we already have a high return rate," Lynch said.
Rep. Mark Anderson, R-Mesa, a member of the House Higher Education Committee, said it comes down to responsibility.
"It just seems to be an issue of accountability for the taxpayers because they are the ones who are footing the bill," Anderson said.
at a glance
Here are some facts about the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, or WICHE:
• The program began in 1953 and has expanded to include 15 states.
• Participating states let students attend their universities if the students' home states lack programs in an area of study.
• Intended to fill professions needed by participating states.
• Offers undergraduate and graduate programs; Arizona participates in the graduate program.
• Participants pay reduced tuition with their home states subsidizing the rest.
