FREEPORT - The Highland Community College Board of Trustees considered a recommendation to increase Highland Community College tuition by $10 per credit hour at their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 19. This was the first of two required readings that could make the change effective for fall 2010.
Highland's Trustees have historically kept tuition and fees at or near the Illinois state average. If the proposed increase is approved, Highland's tuition rate will be $94 per credit hour. Highland officials are estimating that the proposed 2010-11 tuition rate will be within the state average based on information gathered from other institutions.
"Early estimates indicate that the state average will be approximately $92 per credit hour," according to Vice President of Administrative Services Jill Janssen. "However, there are a good number of Illinois community colleges that have yet to report proposed rate increases for next fiscal year."
Community colleges were founded on a funding model of 33 percent state support, 33 percent local tax support, and 33 percent tuition. As state funding continues to decline, the college must rely more heavily on local taxes and tuition. Currently, state support makes up 15 percent of the College's revenue while local tax support, student tuition and other sources (federal grants, Foundation support) make up the remaining 85 percent.
Highland President Joe Kanosky says that the Trustees, administration and Illinois Community College Board continue to bring this funding trend to the attention of state legislators and that the community also needs to understand the funding situation.
"We are deeply concerned about the state funding trend, and we understand that the burden is placed more heavily on tax and tuition support. We think it is important that we share this information with our communities," Kanosky said.
Highland's Trustees have historically kept tuition and fees at or near the Illinois state average. If the proposed increase is approved, Highland's tuition rate will be $94 per credit hour. Highland officials are estimating that the proposed 2010-11 tuition rate will be within the state average based on information gathered from other institutions.
"Early estimates indicate that the state average will be approximately $92 per credit hour," according to Vice President of Administrative Services Jill Janssen. "However, there are a good number of Illinois community colleges that have yet to report proposed rate increases for next fiscal year."
Community colleges were founded on a funding model of 33 percent state support, 33 percent local tax support, and 33 percent tuition. As state funding continues to decline, the college must rely more heavily on local taxes and tuition. Currently, state support makes up 15 percent of the College's revenue while local tax support, student tuition and other sources (federal grants, Foundation support) make up the remaining 85 percent.
Highland President Joe Kanosky says that the Trustees, administration and Illinois Community College Board continue to bring this funding trend to the attention of state legislators and that the community also needs to understand the funding situation.
"We are deeply concerned about the state funding trend, and we understand that the burden is placed more heavily on tax and tuition support. We think it is important that we share this information with our communities," Kanosky said.
