NATCHEZ — Alcorn State University is now the third university is Mississippi to waive out-of-state tuition for all students.

The Board of Trustees for the State Institutions of Higher Learning approved last week a proposal from Alcorn State University to eliminate the out-of-state tuition fees for its non-resident students.

Alcorn will join Delta State and Mississippi Valley State University in offering a single, flat tuition rate for all students regardless of residency.

“This is one key component of Alcorn’s comprehensive enrollment management plan, which is centered around affordability and retention,” said Alcorn President Alfred Rankins Jr.

Non-residents represent less than 15 percent of the student population at Alcorn, and officials say the university can accommodate more out-of-state students.

The flat tuition rate will become effective during the fall 2015 semester.

Currently enrolled out-of-state students will qualify for the reduced tuition rate starting in the fall of 2015.

Vice President for Student Affairs Emanuel Barnes says the flat rate tuition will assist the university’s recruiting strategies.

“Our recruiters are eagerly working with alumni chapters across the nation to attract area students who could not afford the out-of-state tuition rate,” said Barnes. “With this new tuition rate for non-resident students, Alcorn is now a more competitive option.”

Alcorn’s current full-time in state tuition ranges from $6,656 to $7,421.

The new rate will put parents and students who are seeking quality higher education experiences at affordable prices more at ease, Vice President for Finance and Administration Carolyn Dupre said.

“For those students looking for a rigorous, affordable post secondary education away from home while feeling at home then Alcorn is a great choice,” Dupre said.

Alcorn officials estimate the university would forfeit nearly $1.5 million in out-of-state charges in the first year of the policy, saying it already waives the charges for many of its more than 450 nonresident students.

Alcorn said it would have to enroll about 170 more students to make up for the lost revenue. The university plans on aggressively recruiting in the bordering states for students to acquire the additional students needed.

In the long run, the university estimates an additional $5.2 million of tuition revenue over a five-year period under the new waiver structure.

The new structure, university officials stated in documents presented to the IHL board, could conservatively bring an additional 350 non-resident students to Alcorn by 2018.