Maricopa County Community College District Board Approves Tuition Discounts, Scholarships For Students
The Maricopa County Community College District board approved tuition discounts for in-state and out-of-state students at its Tuesday meeting to provide financial support for students impacted by COVID-19 and address the district's enrollment declines.
The board passed a series of incentives in a 4-2 vote.
Arizona students taking more than 12 credits would pay a flat rate of $1,020. Out-of-state students taking six or less credit hours would pay $85 per credit for a discount of $241 per credit.
The board is also providing tuition incentives for students in its clock hour programs, investing in need-based scholarships and running a marketing campaign to make students aware of how the college will operate next year.
“If we can encourage them to take the 15 credit hours a semester, they would be able to graduate in two years so that’s just good policy for us in terms of our commitment to student completion and student success," said board member Linda Thor, referencing the flat rate for full-time Arizona students.
These efforts may cost the district up to $13.5 million.
Last month, the board approved a conservative budget that provides for an operating reserve of $79 million, which will be used to offset declines in tuition revenue, said district spokesperson Matt Hasson.
The board had previously considered offering free tuition and tuition discounts between 25 to 50%, but determined those ideas were ineffective or too costly
