Career & Technical
Education Course Fees
New course fees for select high-cost programs help ensure Virginia’s most in-demand career pathways remain strong, accessible, and built for the future. These fees support the materials, tools, and hands-on experiences required for today’s careers.
For academic year 2026–2027, fees will be introduced at a reduced rate of 50%.
Financial Aid Can Help Cover Course Fees
Federal and state financial aid may be applied toward these course fees. Students who qualify for assistance are encouraged to contact their college’s financial aid office to learn about their options.
Course fee rates are organized by career program area to provide a consistent, transparent, and straightforward fee structure.
Healthcare
Current fee: $25 per credit hour (50% off for Academic Year 2026–27). Originally $50 per credit hour; full rate resumes after Academic Year 2026–27.Skilled Trades
Current fee: $12.50 per credit hour (50% off for Aid Year 2026–27). Originally $25 per credit hour; full rate resumes after Academic Year 2026–27.Agriculture and Natural Resources
Current fee: $12.50 per credit hour (50% off for Aid Year 2026–27). Originally $25 per credit hour; full rate resumes after Academic Year 2026–27.Review your community college's website to explore available career and technical courses. You can use the Course Fee Explorer to see if a CTE Course fee applies.
Questions?
Reach out to your local community college’s financial aid or enrollment services office for more information about course fees.
Virginia's community colleges remain one of the most affordable paths to a career.
Annual tuition and fees at a Virginia community college average less than one-third the cost of attending a public four-year university in the Commonwealth.
About These Fees
The State Board for Community Colleges has authorized the Virginia Community College System to implement course specific fees for certain high-cost programs. Beginning Fall 2026, Virginia’s Community Colleges will introduce per-credit-hour course fees for select Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in healthcare, skilled trades, and agriculture and natural resources.
Programs such as Nursing, Welding, HVAC, Forestry, Dental Hygiene, Radiologic Technology, and Automotive Technology require significant and ongoing investment in specialized equipment, simulation technology, laboratory materials, consumable supplies, and safety resources. These fees will help ensure that students continue to receive high-quality, hands-on instruction aligned with industry standards and workforce needs.
Virginia’s Community Colleges remain one of the most affordable paths to a healthcare or skilled trades career. Financial aid can be applied to course fees, and colleges are committed to making sure students have the information they need before they register.
Enroll in your courses as usual. Courses to which a fee applies will be identified in the course description at the time of registration. Course fees will be included in your Student Information System (SIS) student account bill and processed the same way as standard charges.
Why Are These Fees Being Added?
High-Demand Programs Need Specialized, Real-World Resources
Programs in healthcare, skilled trades, and agriculture depend on advanced equipment, clinical supplies, laboratory materials, and industry-standard technology. The true cost of delivering these programs often exceeds what tuition alone can support. These fees are designed to partially offset instructional costs and will be used directly to support program delivery.
Continued Commitment to Affordability
Annual tuition and fees at a Virginia community college remain, on average, less than one-third the cost of attending a public four-year college or university in the Commonwealth. Community colleges continue to offer exceptional value and a strong return on investment for career-focused education.
Financial Aid Can Help Cover Course Fees
Federal and state financial aid may be applied toward these course fees. Students who qualify for assistance are encouraged to contact their college’s financial aid office to learn about their options.
Questions?
Reach out to your local community college’s financial aid or enrollment services office for more information about course fees.
Course Fee Explorer
Search and filter the full list of 1,041 courses subject to course-specific fees. Course fees will be clearly disclosed in course schedules and catalogs before registration.
| Course Code | Course Description | Program Area | Fee / Credit Hr | AY 2026-27 Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading courses… | ||||
Estimate Your CTE Course Fee
Fees are charged per credit hour. Use this calculator to estimate the course-specific fee for a given semester based on the number of affected credit hours you plan to take.
Estimated cost breakdown
Select a program area and enter credit hours, then click "Calculate Fee".
Course fees are charged in addition to standard tuition and will appear on your SIS student account bill. The Academic Year 2026–27 introductory rate reduces the course fee by 50%.
How It Works
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Check Your Course Schedule
Course for which a fee applies will be identified in the course description at the time of registration.
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Connect With Financial Aid
Talk with your college’s financial aid office to explore whether grants, scholarships, or other aid can help cover course fees.
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Register and Get Started
Enroll in your courses as usual. Course fees will be included in your Student Information System (SIS) student account bill and processed the same way as standard charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that new course fees may raise important questions. Whether you are a student considering program costs, a parent or guardian planning for the future, or an advisor supporting students through the enrollment process, this section is designed to provide clear answers to the most frequently asked questions.
High-demand programs like nursing, welding, and HVAC cost significantly more to deliver than what current tuition covers. These fees help ensure your program has the equipment, supplies, and material needed to provide you with a quality educational experience.
Course fees apply to select Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses in healthcare, skilled trades, and agriculture and natural resources. Not every CTE course will carry a fee. Course fees will be clearly disclosed in course schedules and catalogs before registration.
Fees are charged per credit hour, by program area: $50 per credit hour for healthcare programs, and $25 per credit hour for skilled trades and agriculture and natural resources programs. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on how many credit hours of affected courses you take each semester. See CTE Fee Calculator.
CTE course fees will be discounted 50% for the 2026-27 academic year.
Yes. Federal and state financial aid can generally be applied to course fees. Contact your college’s financial aid office to find out what assistance you may qualify for.
Course fees will take effect beginning with the Fall 2026 semester.
Courses to which a fee applies will be identified in the course description at the time of registration.
Yes. CTE Course fees are separate from tuition and will appear on your bill alongside standard tuition charges.
No. The fee is attached to specific courses, not to the program as a whole. Only students enrolled in designated courses with a course-specific-fee will be charged. Students can view applicable fees in the course schedule before registering.
Questions? Contact Your College
Reach out to your local community college’s financial aid or enrollment services office for more information about course fees and how they apply to your specific program.