Making Higher Education More AffordableAfter college tuition was increased a record 40% under the previous administration, Governor O’Malley promised to make higher education more affordable and accessible for Maryland families.

Governor O’Malley made important investments that allowed Maryland to become the only state in the country to freeze college tuition for four years at all state universities, established Maryland’s first-ever dedicated funding source for higher education and invested a record $462 million into scholarships and financial aid.

Because of Governor O’Malley’s leadership, our universities are no longer among the most expensive in the nation and five of Maryland’s universities were named Best Value by Kiplinger Magazine. While significant progress has been able to make college more affordable and improve our community colleges, Governor O’Malley is committed to making sure that everyone has the opportunity to attend college.

Bob Ehrlich Raised Tuition Putting College Out of Reach for Families

After cutting millions from Maryland institutions and raising college tuition by more than

40%, the University of Maryland newspaper declared that ―Ehrlich hit higher education like a

wrecking ball.From the moment Bob Ehrlich was elected, his policies put college out of reach for many Maryland students and families.

Bob Ehrlich has recently that if he is elected again he will make further cuts to the University System and raise college tuition again on Maryland students and families.

O'Malley-Brown: Delivering Results

Affordable College for Our Families

● Governor O'Malley led the fight to freeze in-state undergraduate tuition for 4 consecutive years at every University System of Maryland campus and Morgan State University.

● After college tuition skyrocketed by more than 40% under the the previous administration, Governor O'Malley has worked with the Board of Regents to move Maryland's college affordability ranking from the 6th most expensive in the nation to an estimated 21st, ensuring that more of our students and families are able to realize their dreams of a college education.

Investing in Higher Education and Our Future Workforce

● Governor O’Malley successfully led the fight to create the Higher Education Investment Fund, Maryland’s first-ever dedicated funding source for higher education. Since establishing the fund in 2007, the HEIF has invested more than $100 million in Maryland’s institutions of higher learning, with more than $42 million planned for this year alone to make critical investments in higher education and workforce development possible across our State.

● Under Governor O'Malley, Maryland has invested nearly $322 million in our community colleges to build new state-of-the-art science labs, libraries, and public health facilities. This is the largest capital investment in Maryland history to help our students compete in a global economy.

● Governor O'Malley has invested 36% more in Maryland’s community colleges since taking office, bringing the total 4-year commitment to $1 billion.

● The O’Malley-Brown Administration has already invested nearly $115 million more in new building construction and renovations on Maryland community college campuses than the prior administration. Governor O'Malley's four-year commitment of nearly $322 million represents the largest capital investment in Maryland history to help our community colleges build new

state-of-the-art science labs, libraries, and public health facilities that allow them to continue providing our workforce with the skills and training they need to compete in the 21st century global marketplace.

● Over the last four years, Governor O’Malley has provided more than $1 billion in total funding (operating and capital) for Historically Black Colleges—a 37% increase over the previous four years.

Helping Our Students with Financial Aid

● Governor O'Malley's budgets have increased student financial aid by $95 million, with a record investment of $462 million for tuition assistance and scholarships to help more students and families across Maryland realize their dreams of a college education.

Opportunities for Veterans

● Governor O’Malley and Lt. Governor Brown are committed to expanding opportunities for our returning veterans, and initiated Maryland’s first scholarship fund that has dedicated nearly $3 million in financial assistance for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who wish to pursue a higher education.

Protecting Our Top Ranked University System

● Maryland is known for its world class public and private colleges and universities, and this year, five Maryland public colleges and universities were named Best Values by Kiplinger Magazine, including the University of Maryland at College Park who ranked 8th, while eight Maryland schools were named Best Schools and Best Value Colleges by The Princeton Review.