June 4, 2018 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Community College trustees unanimously approved a $112.3 million budget for the 2018-2019 academic year, a spending plan that includes the lowest tuition increase in nearly two decades.
Board of trustees Chairman David J. Koetje said the budget reflects the college’s commitment to its dual mission: making quality associate degrees affordable to students graduating from high school and workforce training accessible to people seeking to refresh or gain new skills.
“This budget continues a fiscally responsible approach to investing in opportunities to strengthen our communities,” Koetje said. “We see the results individually in our students gaining an education, and collectively with GRCC having a nearly half-billion dollar economic impact on West Michigan.”
The budget also continues investments in programs aimed at helping students and serving the greater community, such as Early/Middle College and innovative partnerships with employers for career programs.
Tuition and fees account for about 46% of the college’s revenue. In March, trustees unanimously approved a 0.88% tuition increase for the 2018-2019 academic year -- the lowest increase in almost two decades.
“Lifelong learning is the key to success, whether it be an associate degree, credits to transfer to a four-year school, a credential for career skills -- or any combination of those,” said GRCC President Bill Pink, Ph. D. “We’re focused on being relevant and responsive to the people in West Michigan. Keeping a tuition increase at less than 1% demonstrates that commitment.”
The budget is based on an in-district tuition rate of $114 per credit hour, a 0.88% increase from the 2017-2018 rate. That’s the smallest increase since the 0.9% uptick in the 1999-2000 academic year. Including universal fees, the total cost for a full-time student will be $3,879 for the year.
Even with the tuition increase, full-time students eligible for a full Pell grant award will have more than $2,000 available to cover textbooks and other educational expenses.
GRCC also is building partnerships throughout West Michigan to create and expand other opportunities to keep education affordable, including dual enrollment programs that served 720 high school students this year and Early/Middle College programs in five districts that served more than 300 students.
The Grand Rapids Community College Foundation works with partners to help with college expenses, including the Health Care Professionals Education Scholarship Fund, a collaboration with Spectrum Health. Earlier this year, GRCC was awarded $1 million from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to expand programs that connect vulnerable populations with careers in public works and health care.
Grand Rapids Community College has been offering educational opportunities in West Michigan for more than 100 years. Established in 1914, the college offers degree courses, certification and training programs, and workshops and personal enrichment classes. Offerings are held on GRCC’s downtown Grand Rapids campus, and at several locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties, as well as through distance learning.