UH proposes discounts for graduating on time

In its ongoing effort to make itself a respected research institution while staying a hometown university — any bets on which will end up winning? — UH is proposing paying its students to graduate on time. If new students earn their bachelor's degrees within four years, stay enrolled and meet with academic advisers, they could be elgible for up to $3,000 in tuition discounts under the plan.

Those who meet the requirements would receive a $500 rebate toward tuition for their sophomore year, $1,000 for their junior year and $1,500 for their senior year, officials said.

Provost Donald Foss said the proposal could strike a chord with students because of the immediate dividends.

"Each year, if the student succeeds, ... they will see a credit that is in effect a scholarship on their tuition bill," Foss said. "The benefit is clear."

The university's goal is to end up with about 20 percent of undergrads graduating in four years and 60 percent graduating in six years. Currently, 9 percent of UH's undergrads finish in four years and about 40 percent finish in six — primarily, the university says, because many of its students work full-time and can't carry a full course load. In addition to improving graduation rates, which play into universities' classifications as flagship research institutions, UH likely hopes the plan will get students out the door faster and make room for more students on an already overcrowded campus. Officials believe the plan is the first of its kind: Other schools offer discounts when students finish college on time, but not every year they spend in school.

The proposal should go before the UH System Board of Regents on May 18. If it's approved, the plan could cost UH more than $2.6 million in its fourth year — or more. "It is my hope that we have underestimated the amount," Foss said.