NHTI Holds Line On Tuition for Fall 2008

Concord – Tuition at NHTI, Concord's Community College will not increase in the upcoming academic year. The Board of Trustees of the Community College System of New Hampshire announced on June 12 that tuition at NHTI and the State's other six community colleges will remain at last year's levels.

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. NHTI scholarship funds have also increased significantly. Frances H. Benton, a 1985 alumna, for example, has established a $100,000 endowed fund to support women in engineering technologies, Northeast Delta Dental has established a $50,000 fund for students in dental hygiene and assisting programs, and new scholarships have been established by the NHTI Alumni Club, a nursing sorority and a memorial fund for Dr. George Strout, the College's first president.

After working with Gov. Lynch and the New Hampshire 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:

• The Running Start program, which offers New Hampshire High School students the opportunity to take college-level courses for only $100 per course, and to begin their college experience early.
• Transfer programs, which allow community college students to transfer to the state's University System and private colleges after two years.
• Continued efforts to increase the number of classes offered online.
• Partnering with NH companies through the NH Job Training Grant to provide incumbent employee training to keep NH employees and businesses competitive.
• Continuing to prepare students to meet workforce demands in key NH industries, with associate degree and certificate programs that respond to the changing economy.

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're very fortunate to have the support of the Governor and the Legislature as we have broadened our mission to help students meet their academic and professional goals,” said Lynn Kilchenstein, President of NHTI. “Our alumni and corporate partners also been incredibly support as we're adding new programs, upgrading facilities, incorporating new technology, and strengthening the colleges' regional identities.”

In addition to NHTI, the Community College System of NH consists of six other independently accredited colleges: Great Bay Community College in Stratham and Portsmouth; Lakes Region Community College in Laconia; Manchester Community College; Nashua Community Colleg; River Valley Community College in Claremont and Keene; and White Mountains Community College in Berlin, Littleton, Woodsville and Conway.