MIDDLETOWN – The State Board for Community Colleges voted Thursday to keep community college affordable, approving a tuition rate for 2007-08 that is hundreds of dollars below the current national average for community colleges.
The State Board set a tuition rate of $76.65 per credit hour for in-state students, an increase of 5.72 percent from the current rate of $72.50. A systemwide technology fee increases 35 cents to $3.50 per credit hour.
Together, those two rates mean a full-time Virginia student taking 30 credit hours over two semesters at a community college would pay a total of $2,404.50 in tuition and mandatory fees. The new tuition rates begin with the summer 2007 semester.
“We have a duty to give all Virginians affordable access to a high-quality college education. Today’s board action demonstrates how committed we are to that. And it is yet another step forward in implementing the Dateline 2009 strategic plan that will make our community colleges truly world-class,” said State Board Chair Alan Toxopeus.
“We are focused on helping more and more Virginians earn a post-secondary credential,” said Glenn DuBois, Chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges. “Just like the guaranteed transfer agreements we’ve signed with four-year public and private colleges and universities across the commonwealth, and just like the transfer grants the General Assembly approved this year, keeping our tuition rates affordable is a critical step in that effort.”
The 2006-07 national average for community college tuition and fees is $2,626 per academic year – and with community college rates nationally increasing an average of 6 percent, Virginia’s community colleges will stay well below the national average.
Financial aid will also increase by $3.49 million, bringing total state financial aid for community college students to $21.8 million – a 19 percent increase over 2006-07. A special financial aid fund for part-time students will increase by $200,000 to an $11 million total.
Tuition for out-of-state students also increases 5.72 percent, from $235.35 to $248.80 per credit hour. Out-of-state students account for about 6 percent of all community college students.
A tuition differential for Northern Virginia Community College of an additional $5.85 per credit hour for in-state students and $8.50 for out of state students was also approved.