The status of a portion of state funding for Kentucky students accepted into Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine is in limbo. The commonwealth is under agreement with the Alabama school to allow Kentucky students accepted into the veterinary program to pay in-state tuition, with Kentucky picking up the difference.
Governor Bevin’s budget includes money to assist with tuition costs for 22 incoming students, leaving 16 openings unfunded. However, the House approved budget restored funding for the remaining spots.
Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association Legislative Chair Jim Weber says it could be worked out in the final budget, but that may not be soon enough. “Will the timing be that the students will have to make a decision whether or not they’re going to attend before the funding issue is finally resolved?” asked Weber.
Weber says the agreement saves each Kentucky student attending Auburn’s vet school about $20,000 a year. He says some students who’ve already been accepted into the program have indicated that without the aid, they may not be able to attend Auburn.
Shelbyville Senator Paul Hornback says he expects the funding to be included in the final budget. “It’s one of those things that it’s much more cost efficient for Kentucky to fill those slots and maintain those slots, than it is to build a $300 million veterinary facility here at the University of Kentucky,” said Hornback.
UK officials say there are no plans to build such a school in Lexington.
Hornback says Auburn has indicated if all 38 slots are not filled this year, Kentucky could lose some of those positions permanently.
The Kentucky-Auburn vet program agreement dates back some 65 years, in part, due to an overwhelming need for large animal vets in the bluegrass.?
