MCC OKs Tuition Hike

McHenry County College is increasing its tuition by $8 per credit hour to help bridge a $1.2 million budget gap, officials said Monday.

MCC students will pay $99 per credit hour for the fall 2011 semester. The increase will help the college generate an additional $954,000 per year, according to a MCC press release.

“We are continuing to provide strong programs that meet the needs of the community and at the same time, maintain a fiscally responsible budget,”said MCC president Vicky Smith in a press release. “We are also keeping our commitment to avoid placing any additional burden on the taxpayers.”

The MCC Board of Trustees voted on the tuition increase last week, citing a need to pay for the “rising cost of salaries and benefits,” according to the news release.

Under state statute, the original funding model in Illinois was for the state to fund one-third of community college budgets while local taxes cover another one-third and students pay the final one-third, Smith said in the press release. 

“At MCC, state funding is currently 4.7 percent of the budget, far less than its share,” Smith said.

By law, the college is allowed to charge tuition rates that are one-third of its per capita cost, which would have enabled the college to charge up to $105 per credit hour, according to the release. The new rate also places the college near the median of all the community colleges in the state.

Compared to other community colleges in fiscal year 2012, tuition at  MCC ranked the 19th highest of 39 Illinois community colleges, the release stated.

“I understand this may be difficult for students however, this increase allows MCC to continue providing incredibly innovative programs and services,” said Tony Miksa, vice president of Academic and Student Affairs.