Published: Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Fewer dollars to colleges means more from students’ pockets
LYNNWOOD — Starting fall quarter, students at Edmonds Community College will pay 12 percent more for tuition.
The state Board for Community and Technical Colleges authorized the tuition increase statewide for next school year. The increase, though, won’t entirely offset reduced state funding.
“It’s unfortunate the burden is being put on students,” EdCC President Jean Hernandez said.
State residents are currently charged $1,180.80 for 15 credits per quarter or $3,542.40 for three quarters at EdCC. This is up from $1,045 in 2010-11 or $3,135 for three quarters.
Heather Poole, 33, returned to school to complete an accounting degree. The Edmonds resident said the labor market is so competitive, having a partial degree prevents her from qualifying for most jobs. She expects to pay $1,300 to enroll in summer quarter.
Poole considers herself lucky to have financial aid to help pay for school.
“Not that tuition increases aren’t a negative thing anyway,” she said.
Wade Plante, 35, enrolled in his first quarter at EdCC as a step toward becoming a physician’s assistant. The Mountlake Terrace resident isn’t too stressed about the tuition spike as the impact hasn’t hit yet.
“Obviously it’s going to add more debt,” Plante said.
The board also approved a measure limiting the amount of college credits Running Start students can enroll in tuition-free. Running Start allows high school students to get a head start on higher education. They will be charged for courses they enroll in beyond a full course load. This is the first time the Legislature has put a limit on how much the state will pay.
Sandie Jones, director of Running Start at EdCC, said the limitations probably won’t discourage students from enrolling in the program. But staff is forewarning students.
Fall quarter at EdCC begins Sept. 20. Tuition is due Sept. 8.
The college is still dealing with the impacts of successive cuts to state funding, said EdCC spokeswoman Michele Graves.
“The tuition increase helps -- as well as the college’s efforts to run lean and generate revenue,” Graves wrote.
The tuition increase means officials avoided large layoffs and further program cuts. Still, fewer sections of classes will be offered this fall.
Hernandez said more than half of EdCC students are employed and attending school part-time. The administrator is concerned that students will enroll in fewer courses to work more hours to pay for school. She encourages students to take at least one course per quarter to not lose their momentum.
“Financial aid is tighter and it could mean less students enrolling,” Hernandez said.
The school’s foundation website will have more calls for scholarships. Companies such as UPS, Boeing and Home Depot offer tuition reimbursement to their employees. There is more demand on financial aid and student services at EdCC, and those pressures are expected to continue.
Students at two-year schools aren’t the only ones feeling the pinch.
Last week, University of Washington Board of Regents approved a 20 percent tuition increase, the highest increase in the school’s history.
The state Board for Community and Technical Colleges authorized the tuition increase statewide for next school year. The increase, though, won’t entirely offset reduced state funding.
“It’s unfortunate the burden is being put on students,” EdCC President Jean Hernandez said.
State residents are currently charged $1,180.80 for 15 credits per quarter or $3,542.40 for three quarters at EdCC. This is up from $1,045 in 2010-11 or $3,135 for three quarters.
Heather Poole, 33, returned to school to complete an accounting degree. The Edmonds resident said the labor market is so competitive, having a partial degree prevents her from qualifying for most jobs. She expects to pay $1,300 to enroll in summer quarter.
Poole considers herself lucky to have financial aid to help pay for school.
“Not that tuition increases aren’t a negative thing anyway,” she said.
Wade Plante, 35, enrolled in his first quarter at EdCC as a step toward becoming a physician’s assistant. The Mountlake Terrace resident isn’t too stressed about the tuition spike as the impact hasn’t hit yet.
“Obviously it’s going to add more debt,” Plante said.
The board also approved a measure limiting the amount of college credits Running Start students can enroll in tuition-free. Running Start allows high school students to get a head start on higher education. They will be charged for courses they enroll in beyond a full course load. This is the first time the Legislature has put a limit on how much the state will pay.
Sandie Jones, director of Running Start at EdCC, said the limitations probably won’t discourage students from enrolling in the program. But staff is forewarning students.
Fall quarter at EdCC begins Sept. 20. Tuition is due Sept. 8.
The college is still dealing with the impacts of successive cuts to state funding, said EdCC spokeswoman Michele Graves.
“The tuition increase helps -- as well as the college’s efforts to run lean and generate revenue,” Graves wrote.
The tuition increase means officials avoided large layoffs and further program cuts. Still, fewer sections of classes will be offered this fall.
Hernandez said more than half of EdCC students are employed and attending school part-time. The administrator is concerned that students will enroll in fewer courses to work more hours to pay for school. She encourages students to take at least one course per quarter to not lose their momentum.
“Financial aid is tighter and it could mean less students enrolling,” Hernandez said.
The school’s foundation website will have more calls for scholarships. Companies such as UPS, Boeing and Home Depot offer tuition reimbursement to their employees. There is more demand on financial aid and student services at EdCC, and those pressures are expected to continue.
Students at two-year schools aren’t the only ones feeling the pinch.
Last week, University of Washington Board of Regents approved a 20 percent tuition increase, the highest increase in the school’s history.