Tuition at the New Hampshire Community Colleges will remain at last year’s levels for the coming academic year, the Board of Trustees announced on June 12.
In addition, the Community Colleges of New Hampshire Foundation will increase scholarship support to nearly $600,000, a 25% increase over the funding available in the previous year.
After working with Gov. Lynch and the NH Legislature to craft a budget that supports the System’s goals of academic excellence, transferability and affordability, the Board was able to freeze tuition levels for the 2008-2009 academic year.
"This was truly a team effort: the Community College System, the Governor, and the Legislature all worked together to continue to make community colleges the affordable choice for thousands of New Hampshire students," said Board Chairman Paul Holloway. "Ninety-five percent of students in the NH Community College System are NH residents – people of all ages who are the backbone of our communities and our skilled economy."
In-state tuition will remain at last year’s rate of $175 per credit hour. Tuition under the New England Regional Student Program stays at $262. Out-of-state tuition will remain at $400 per credit. In addition to scholarship assistance through the Community Colleges Foundation, many students are eligible for other forms of financial aid including federal loans and grants.
Officials said the tuition freeze is also a result of the lean operations of the System and its seven colleges. This is the second time in three years the community college Trustees have elected not to raise tuition; in 2006 the Trustees implemented a tuition freeze for the 2006-07 academic year. "Affordability is a key component of the community college mission," said Holloway. "These days, when the cost of living is increasing in so many sectors, it's nice to be the bearer of some good news."
In the coming academic year, the Community Colleges also will continue to work on a variety of efforts to help NH residents pursue an affordable college education:
In 2007 the Community College System began a transition away from its status as a state agency, to become a more independent public system governed by a Board of Trustees. System leaders remain committed to the mission of affordability and access.
"We’ve all been working very hard over the past year in support of our broadened mission to help students meet their academic and professional goals," said Dr. Richard Gustafson, Chancellor of the Community College System. "We’re adding new programs, upgrading facilities, incorporating new technology, and strengthening the colleges' regional identities. In fact, tuition at the campuses is one of the few things we haven’t changed."
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