Trustees approve four and one-half percent increase; pair with cost-containment and expansion of scholarship support

Concord, N.H. - Tuition at the state’s community colleges will increase by four and one-half percent, or $8 per credit for an in-state student, beginning this fall, the Board of Trustees announced today. For a full-time NH student, this means approximately a $100 tuition increase per semester. This announcement marks the first time tuition at the community colleges has been raised since 2007.

At the same time, scholarship support through the Community Colleges Foundation continues to grow. This year scholarship support from the Community Colleges Foundation more than doubled, with over $1.6 million awarded to New Hampshire students state-wide. In addition, increases in federal Pell funding will ensure the neediest students will have access to financial resources for college, CCSNH officials say.

“New Hampshire’s community colleges will continue to provide exceptional, affordable opportunities for NH citizens to pursue higher education and work toward their professional goals in high-demand fields,” said board of trustees chairman Paul Holloway. “The community colleges prepare our citizens for jobs that strengthen our state’s economy. Keeping college affordable and accessible, while maintaining the quality of education we offer and the service we provide to the state of New Hampshire by developing a skilled workforce, remain the highest priorities of the community college system,” Holloway said.

In addition to increasing scholarship support through its Foundation, the community college system continues to implement cost-saving measures. Two new buildings scheduled to open this fall – a nursing education facility at NHTI in Concord and an automotive technology facility at Manchester Community College – will be LEED certified, optimizing energy performance and incorporating sustainability features. Other energy improvements in existing buildings, including efficient heating systems, insulation and windows, will result in long-term energy cost savings. In addition, the System will continue working to control costs in areas including personnel expenses and travel.

The community college system will continue to support programs that increase access to an affordable college education. The system will:

• Develop additional training programs for displaced and adult workers
• Continue to increase the number of on-line courses, currently at over 200 per semester
• Enhance the Running Start program, offering courses for college credit to high school juniors and seniors at over 70 high schools state-wide
• Continue to strengthen transfer pathways to baccalaureate institutions

Trustees also noted that lawmakers approved $19,250,000 million in capital investments for the system. This funding, which is separate from the system’s operating budget, will fund the construction of academic facilities, upgrades to programs, capital maintenance and energy improvements for college buildings over the next biennium. “We are grateful that lawmakers chose to make investments in the state’s community colleges, which are seeing a dramatic increase in demand,” said Holloway. “This funding will be put to good use to create opportunities for NH citizens seeking an affordable college education and opportunities to train for a career.” Capital funding approved for CCSNH will be used to:

• Construct a new academic building at Nashua Community College
• Renovate the facility that houses the radiation therapy and radiologic technology programs at NHTI-Concord’s Community College
• Expand offerings in the Monadnock region through the acquisition of a facility in Keene
• Perform critical repairs, safety enhancements and information technology upgrades across the seven-college system

TUITION RATE CHANGES, PER CREDIT:

Community College System of New Hampshire
26 College Drive
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-2722, (603) 271-2725 Fax
www.ccsnh.edu

About CCSNH
The community college system of NH consists of seven colleges, offering associate degree and certificate programs, plus short-term professional training. The system’s colleges are Great Bay Community College in Stratham and Portsmouth; Lakes Region Community College in Laconia; Manchester Community College; Nashua Community College; NHTI – Concord’s Community College; River Valley Community College in Claremont and Keene; and White Mountains Community College in Berlin.