ATLANTA — In the face of a negative trend in college and university enrollments, the University System of Georgia is considering lowering out-of-state tuition rates for students from neighboring states.

Regents hope to specifically help South Georgia schools who have had the biggest declines.

Normally, out-of-state tuition is 3 times the rate it is for in-state students.  Georgia is already a part of a multi-state agreement with certain Southeastern states for lower rates, but this new proposal would expand that to include students in the entire neighboring state, not just select counties.

University System Chancellor Hank Huckaby identified 15 schools, mainly in South Georgia, hit hard by changes in federal financial aid programs, tougher academic requirements and competition from other schools.  Huckaby made the comments at an address to state lawmakers during the current legislative session.

Further, the system will move away from its current funding formula, based on enrollment alone, to one based on performance goals like retention and graduation rates.

Regents hope to see the new policy implemented before the coming Fall Semester.

UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA ENROLLMENT DECLINES

South Georgia schools were hit especially hard by several factors, including student aid and enrollment requirements.  Here is a list of some of the hardest hit schools (alphabetically with 2014 enrollment versus the peak enrollment total):

Albany State University: 3,910 students in the fall of 2014; a 16.15 percent decline from peak enrollment

Armstrong State University (Savannah): 7,094 students; 7.65 percent decline

Bainbridge State College 2,470 students; 33.89 percent decline

College of Coastal Georgia (Brunswick) 3,008 students; 13.41 percent decline

Dalton State College 4,854 students; 18.94 percent decline

Darton State College (Albany) 5,623 students; 12.09 percent decline

East Georgia State College (Swainsboro) 2,910 students; 15.28 percent decline

Fort Valley State University 2,594 students; 33.42 percent decline

Georgia Perimeter College (Decatur) 21,371 students; 20.84 percent decline

Georgia Regents University (Augusta) 8,530 students; 15.13 percent decline

Georgia Southwestern State University (Americus) 2,666 students; 12.48 percent decline

Gordon State College (Barnesville) 4,047 students; 19.21percent decline

Middle Georgia State College (Macon) 7,927 students; 22.50 percent decline

South Georgia State College (Waycross) 2,611 students; 21.43 percent decline

Valdosta State University 11,563 students; 11.66 percent decline