On 9 March 2008, Hungary decided in a referendum on the elimination of tuition fees in higher education. Half of the 8 million citizens entitled to vote participated in the referendum and 3.3 million of them (82%) agreed with the elimination of fees. On 17 March, the Parliament passed the modification of laws needed for the elimination. Universities and colleges would have profited from the tuition fees starting from September. The students who have payed before that date tuition will be reimbursed.