Tartan

Issue date: 2/17/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Colin's $5 Bill MCC´s tuition has now been risen by $5

McHenry County College has come a long way since 1968 when tuition was $5.60 per credit. The college has been growing together with the community striving to keep raising its standards and improving the quality of its services. Original plan of financing consisted of equal contributions of about 33.3% by the state, local property tax revenue and the students. However, the present picture of major funding sources is as follows: the taxpayers supply over 60% of revenue, tuition and fees--27.6% and the state covers about 10% of MCC expenses.

Notably, state funding has been lower than expected and according to MCC Vice President of Administrative Services and Treasurer Ronald Ally it "has really declined over the past decade or more" and continues to do so. Recent news from the state is the MCC funding cut of at least $167,000 in the next year. Moreover, the legislature passed in the early 1990's establishing the property tax caps has limited MCC's budget as well. Therefore, MCC administration had to put a lot of thought and calculation for the next course of action. Five-dollar tuition increase per credit will be applied only to the district residents and will not affect the fees, as they are adjusted independently every year based on the audit, much as tuition for students of other residence and age categories. Moreover, Elgin Community College, College of Lake County, College of DuPage, Waubonsee Community College and Harper College are raising tuition rates as well. Currently the tuition increase does not eliminate MCC funding problem, nevertheless, it will provide an enormous support of roughly $535,000 for the school. Even though MCC tries to lobby students' interests in Springfield making a big change is a painstaking process. Mr. Curfman who serves on the Strategic Planning Committee's Finance Group suggested students should write letters to Illinois Congressmen and Senators, become more involved in the local election process and lobby their rights too.

Every time there are changes in tuition Mr. Ally and administration inquire from the Financial Aid office if an average student would be able to afford to attend MCC. They make sure to balance education affordability, quality and the variety of programs and extracurricular activities for the students. It is true that some may need to apply for financial aid, student loans and scholarships. The positive effect and the investment factor of education are long known: the future of MCC's students is bright. McHenry County College also plans for an expansion with three satellite locations and a bright future. Anything is said to be possible with mutual support.

Special thanks to Lateef, Mr. Ally and Mr. Curfman. Information and analysis are based on interviews and MCC 5-year Financial Plan Draft for the Fiscal Year 2006.

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