Tuition at the state's community technical colleges will increase by 6.7 percent, or $11 per credit for an in-state student, beginning this fall, the Board of Trustees announced today, July 11.
"The costs of providing excellent career, technical, and general education continue to rise, yet community colleges must remain affordable and accessible to the citizens of New Hampshire," said Paul Holloway, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. "Ninety-five percent of the students at the Community Technical Colleges are New Hampshire residents, so the educational opportunities we offer have a direct impact on the quality of life and economic well-being of the state."
In deciding on the move from $164 to $175 per credit, the Board declared its intention to freeze tuition at the new rate for the second year of the biennium. At the same time, the Community Technical Colleges Foundation will increase scholarship support to over $430,000 this year, a 31 percent increase over the previous year. In addition, many students are eligible for federal financial aid, grants and loans.
Board of Trustees Finance Committee Chairman Ned Densmore (Franconia) recommended the new level to the Board, and noted that the Colleges were able to keep tuition at $164 per credit for the last two consecutive years. "It is our hope that, by keeping tuition stable over a two year period, our students and their families can better plan for their educational costs," said Densmore.
Holloway noted the support of state policy-makers in enabling the Board to avoid a more precipitous tuition increase this year. "The Governor, the NH House and Senate deserve credit for approving an operating budget for the colleges that keeps the percent increase in single-digits," said Holloway. "They recognize that investing in higher education strengthens the state in the long run."
The Community Technical College System consists of seven independent colleges located in all regions of the state, with colleges in Berlin, Claremont, Concord, Laconia, Manchester, Nashua, and Stratham and local academic centers in Keene, Portsmouth, Franklin, Conway, Littleton, and Woodsville. The System serves 24,000 students annually, including full-time, part-time, and professional non-credit students. The colleges offer associate degree programs, career training, and transfer pathways to four-year colleges and universities.
| Tuition Rate Changes, Per Credit | ||
| Category | Current (2006-2007) | Beginning Fall 2007 |
| In-state | $164 | $175 |
| New England Regional Student Program | $246 | $262 |
| Out-of-State | $376 | $400 |
