The Maricopa Community Colleges governing board approved a $5 tuition increase by a vote of 4-1 Tuesday night.
Under the new tuition, resident students will pay $76 per credit hour. Board member Debra Pearson was the lone vote against the increase.
Resident students taking 30 credit hours per year will pay $2,280 next year. The tuition increased will mean about $12.5 million in additional revenues.
The board also approved a new fee structure for nonresidents students and a package of fees for classes, beginning next school year.
It is the first time in three years tuition has been increased.
During a budget presentation following the tuition vote, Chancellor Rufus Glasper told the board he would ask for a 3 percent tax levy increase for the colleges. The formal tax request will come later this year.
Last year, the governing board for Maricopa County Community College District voted 3-2 on to reject a proposed 2 percent increase to its tax levy.
Maricopa Community Colleges – and all community colleges in the state – are expecting a large cut from state aid next school year.
MCCCD’s current operating budget is $655 million, of which $45.3 million comes from the state. Tuition and local taxes make up much of the rest of the budget.
• Contact writer: (480) 898-6549 or mreese@evtrib.com
