Arizona’s 2027 Budget Cuts Millions in College Funding

Arizona’s $18.29 billion fiscal year 2027 budget, which Gov. Katie Hobbs signed into law earlier this month, eliminates millions in education funding for public universities and slashes several one-time investments that have helped students access higher education.

The budget, which will go into effect July 1, removes $16.3 million from state universities, including $8 million from Arizona State University, $2.6 million from Northern Arizona University and $5.7 million from the University of Arizona. It also eliminates funding for several scholarships and programs for which the state’s FY2026 budget allotted money.

Program cuts include $1.5 million previously invested in dual enrollment and $16.3 million for the Arizona Promise program, which offers scholarships to low-income students. The budget also slashes $6 million in funding for the Community College Adult Education Workforce program, a four-year-old program that provides adult learners with a college education and workforce training.

Hobbs, a Democrat, said in a news release she was “thrilled” to sign the bipartisan budget into law, noting that the budget invests in education. The budget gained bipartisan support after weeks of negotiations among Republicans, who control both chambers of the Arizona Legislature, Democratic lawmakers and Hobbs.

The governor’s office did not return a request for comment on how the cuts will impact Arizonans’ access to higher education.