For a long period of time, Chinese students paid no tuition. In 1994, a reformed tuition system stipulates that no tuition shall be collected for compulsory education while a charge shall be imposed on students receiving non-compulsory education with the amount of charge being proportionate to actual expenses incurred. By 1997, all college students began paying tuition. At present, their tuition payment accounts for proximately 15-20 percent of the actual expenses incurred for their education.