Wisconsin high school seniors thinking about attending the University of Minnesota next year can breathe a sigh of relief today.

On Wednesday, the higher education boards in Wisconsin and Minnesota announced reciprocity between the two states' public universities will apply, at the least, to this fall's incoming freshmen.

"We know a lot of students right now are prospective students," said Barb Schlaefer, director of communications for the Minnesota Higher Education Board. "We recognize students are trying to make decisions."

Under the reciprocity agreement that has been in place for nearly 30 years, Wisconsin students can attend a public university in Minnesota for the same price as attending a UW school. Conversely, Minnesota students can come to Wisconsin and pay University of Minnesota tuition rates.

Schlaefer said students from Wisconsin or Minnesota who attend their neighboring state's university beginning this fall will be covered by the current reciprocity agreement for four years. Beyond that, she said, is up to negotiations between the two boards.

While reciprocity agreements are decided by the state higher education boards — and not the universities themselves — UW System spokesperson David Giroux said Wednesday's announcement comes as a relief to many prospective students.

"This is good news for students and families who need to know what to expect this fall," Giroux said. "This is the time of year where students are deciding where to apply and where to attend."

The temporary continuation of reciprocity comes two months after the two states said reciprocity could come to an end if issues between the two parties were not settled.

Susan Heegard, executive director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, sent a letter to the Wisconsin Higher Education Aids Board in January requesting a tuition increase for Wisconsin students who attend the University of Minnesota.

Since tuition at UW is about $1,200 less than U of M, Wisconsin students who attend U of M are paying less than Minnesota students do at their in-state university. By the same token, Minnesota students are paying more to attend UW than Wisconsin students are.

Giroux said this fact has led the state of Wisconsin to pay the excess tuition from Minnesota students back to the state of Minnesota.

"At the end of the year, we end up with more money on our side of the border," Giroux said. "We kind of make each other whole by the end of the year."

One point of contention has been where that money goes at the end of the year. U of M officials have said the money does not directly reach the university and instead goes directly to the state.

Schlafer added talks between the higher education boards concerning the long-term future of reciprocity are ongoing.

"We're just continuing to talk and find common ground," Schlaefer said. "Every year, we have a conversation. … Although this year, we have had bit of a snag."

Giroux said reciprocity is important for both states in terms of affordability and range of choices.

"When you're adding the Minnesota campuses, it gives our residents — especially in the western part of the state — a lot more choices," Giroux said.