The far-reaching impacts of COVID-19 have generated unprecedented challenges for higher education institutions, states, and individuals over the past year. This includes significant budget implications that resulted in a strained and uncertain fiscal environment as states seek to meet goals and priorities while providing affordable and accessible postsecondary opportunities. This edition of "WICHE Insights" discusses the most recent results of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education's (WICHE) annual survey of tuition and fees at public postsecondary institutions in the West. The authors explore trends in state financial aid and higher education appropriations and highlight the ways that COVID-19 has impacted higher education finance over the past fiscal year (FY). The most recent results of the survey present a positive outlook for tuition rates in the Western region, as there was minimal average increase in rates at both two- and four-year institutions between academic years (AY) 2019-20 and 2020-21. However, it is important to recognize that, in most cases, AY 2020-21 tuition rates were set prior to the onset of the pandemic and reflect relatively little impact of the ongoing fiscal challenges brought on by COVID-19.