LANSING — When the recession hit in 2008 and tax revenues dropped, Michigan, like most states, relied heavily on spending cuts.

According to a report from the Michigan League for Public Policy, (MLPP) the state is now among just six states asking students and families to shoulder higher education costs (vs. state support) by a ratio of at least 2-to-1. The MLPP is a state-level policy institute.

Nationwide, states are spending 23 percent less than they did in 2008 on higher education, and tuition is up 28 percent. As a result, public colleges and universities nationwide cut faculty positions, eliminated course offerings, closed campuses, shut down computer labs and reduced library services.

In Michigan, tuition is now the sixth highest in the country, and need-based financial aid has suffered, particularly for students over 30 years old. In 2009, several grant programs were eliminated.

The MLPP says to reverse these trends, Michigan needs to make higher education a priority.  A large and growing share of jobs will require college-educated workers. The MLPP says the only way to make sure Michigan students are prepared is to keep higher education affordable. The state is moving in the right direction in requiring universities to limit annual tuition increases to 3.2 percent in order to receive all or part of their funding increases.