Because of longstanding neglect, the doors to the state’s universities and community colleges may become closed to many students in Washington state. State funding has not kept pace with population growth, forcing more schools to turn away applicants.

The University of Washington isn’t accepting any community college graduates this fall. That means the demand shifts to the state’s other institutions, which are also grappling with enrollment pressures.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board predicts the state will have 4,000 more high school graduates in 2010. Without an increase in state funding, many of them will have to leave the state for college and those who are admitted will be facing much higher costs.

This dilemma was foreseen long ago, but state leaders didn’t act. So an initiative will be on the ballot in November seeking a 1 cent sales tax to raise money for early learning, K-12 and higher education, where the goal is to open up 25,000 more slots at community colleges and universities

Whatever the financing solution, few dispute the cost of inaction. A highly educated workforce is necessary to retain and recruit businesses to Washington state. Currently, many employers have to reach outside the state to find qualified workers.

In the past 10 years, college students and their parents have shouldered a growing financial burden. Tuition increases have outpaced inflation and wage gains, rising by 89 percent at UW and Washington State University, 84 percent at Eastern, Western and Central Washington universities and The Evergreen State College and 90 percent at community colleges.

Without relief, the increased competition for enrollment slots will drive those prices even higher, which can present an insurmountable barrier for middle- and low-income families. Eastern Washington institutions largely serve those demographics, and their leaders fear they are pricing themselves out of their market.

In the 1991-93 budget, the state allocated $9,183 per four-year student. That figure has dropped to $7,500. Community colleges have experienced declining support, too.

The problem isn’t just funding. Remediation and transfer issues can slow progress toward graduation. In 2001, 43 percent of incoming students enrolled in remedial math and English classes, which do not count toward degrees. High school graduates need to be better prepared for college. Higher education officials say they are working on ways to smooth the process of transferring credits.

Nonetheless, the major problem has been the reluctance of state leaders to sell the benefits of higher education to taxpayers. Until that funding arrives, the dream of working hard, getting decent grades and proceeding to an in-state college will be deferred for thousands for students, and the entire state will suffer.