I commend Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Board of Regents for their continued work to give Iowa college students at regent universities financial relief. This year, for the first time in more than 30 years, tuition for in-state students attending regent universities is frozen. Now, Branstad and Reynolds have asked the Board of Regents to consider a freeze in tuition for a second consecutive year, something that hasn’t been done in four decades.

Branstad and Reynolds clearly want to help Iowa students like myself get a quality, affordable education. Iowa offers outstanding public universities, but the fact remains Iowa ranks No. 3 in the nation in student loan debt and No. 4 in the number of students with debt. The governor and lieutenant governor’s plan to freeze tuition will help Iowa students graduate with less debt.

Iowans should rally behind Branstad, Reynolds and the Board of Regents as they consider this proposal. Providing financial relief encourages students to stay and grow in Iowa.