RVCC To Increase Tuition $6 Per Credit

BRANCHBURG, NJ — The Raritan Valley Community College Board of Trustees passed a $55.5 million budget for 2019 on Tuesday night. The new budget includes a $6 per credit tuition increase.

The new tuition of $153 per credit will take effect for the Fall 2018 semester. For the average full-time student taking 30 credits during the academic year, tuition would increase by $180. For the average part-time student taking 12 credits during the academic year, tuition would increase by $72.

Fall 2018 Tuition Schedule:

• Hunterdon/Somerset County Residents - $153 per credit
• Out-of-county residents (Board grants a waiver of $45 per credit to students who provide verification of employment in Somerset or Hunterdon Counties) - $198 per credit
• Out-of-state residents - $198 per credit
• Early College Program - $200 for all courses taken at participating high schools; regular college tuition and fees apply to all courses taken at the main campus.
• RVCC Online Courses & NJ Virtual Community College Courses - $202 per credit; no fees charged.
• Hunterdon/Somerset senior citizens minimum age 65. One course per semester on a space available basis. May register during the five business days prior to course start. - No tuition assessed; $33 enrollment service fee. Course books/materials extra cost. Audit status, no credit awarded.
• NJ National Guard and Reserves - Free tuition for up to 16 credits per term for individual only; fees apply.
• Volunteer Emergency Medical Personnel and Firefighters - Free tuition for up to $600 per year and $2,400 lifetime per family of volunteer; fees apply.
• September 11 Victims’ Families - Free tuition for children and spouses of victims; fees apply.

The operating budget reflects a 4.1 percent increase over last year. The increase is due to rises in contractual costs for employee healthcare and other benefits, and a continued decline in the size of the area high school graduation classes.

“The new budget will ensure that RVCC can continue to fulfill its mission of providing our students with outstanding instruction and services to support success, while keeping tuition affordable. Recognizing that these are challenging fiscal times as we face a decline in the number of young people graduating from high school, the college has taken responsible measures to cut $500,000 in operating costs by restructuring administrative positions and through attrition,” said RVCC President Michael J. McDonough.

Funding for the operating budget is anticipated to come from the following sources:

• Tuition and fees - 63.4 percent
• State of New Jersey - 11.7 percent
• Somerset and Hunterdon counties - 24.8 percent
• Other (investments, rentals, etc.) - .1 percent

(Auxiliary services are not included in these figures)

The Board also approved a $6.6 million major capital budget and a $750,000 minor capital budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Some of the major components of the capital budget include:

• $3 million for renovating and expanding the Arts Building, the oldest building on campus
• $1.5 million for a new enrollment/student success center, creating a one-stop location for student support services
• $425,000 for upgrading mechanical systems
• $250,000 for renovating classrooms

The operating and capital budgets now go to the Board of School Estimate for approval. The Board of School Estimate includes two freeholders from Somerset County, two freeholders from Hunterdon County, and two members of the RVCC Board of Trustees.

(Image via Shutterstock / Brian A Jackson)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.