With state funding expected to continue to decrease, the legislature will force reductions in service at a time when more people are looking to community colleges.
This statement comes from Northwestern Michigan College President Tim Nelson:
The Governor’s tuition restraint proposal doesn’t make sense for community colleges. The 28 public community colleges have continually demonstrated fiscal and tuition restraint without legislative mandate.
The community college mission is founded upon access and affordability, and we work hard as a system – particularly in these tough economic times – to keep access to quality postsecondary education affordable to Michigan families. At NMC, our record enrollments demonstrates that we remain a viable and affordable option for many students.
At NMC we have remained accessible and affordable despite a 31 percent decrease in state funding between 2001 and 2007. For example:
-- We have already implemented significant cost reductions in the last eight years.
-- Our tuition is less than half that of the average public four-year school.
-- This year we will award nearly $1 million in donor-funded scholarships.
-- An NMC student could earn an Associate’s degree for a little over $5,600. In addition to scholarships, there is considerable financial aid, such as the Pell Grant and Michigan Promise awards, that might completely cover the entire cost.
NMC’s preliminary budget being developed for 2009-10 currently reflects a tuition increase that is below the rate of inflation. (Final action on tuition and budget is not expected until later this spring.)
Tuition and fees cover less than half the cost of an NMC education. With state funding expected to continue to decrease, the legislature will force reductions in service at a time when more people are looking to community colleges.
