Local College Students to Receive Fall Tuition Freeze
During this fall semester, college students who resume their studies at nearly 40 Minnesota State colleges and universities will be greeted with a tuition freeze.
Hennepin Technical College and North Hennepin Community College (NHCC), both in Brooklyn Park, are among the schools included in the announcement.
North Hennepin Community College entrance
Stephen Kent, NHCC finance and facilities vice president, hopes college students will return as a result of the tuition freeze.
“It’s the best thing for students, given the current conditions,” Kent said. “To my understanding, it is for the fall semester for 2020 only.”
Kent said tuition will increase 3 percent in the spring semester.
A full-time school year tuition at NHCC starts at about $5,000. NHCC has one of the lowest tuition costs in the state. However, Kent said this year’s enrollment is projected to be about 8 percent less.
“A merit of factors are impacting that number, the economy, COVID-19” said Kent. “People are scared.”
To increase the enrollment number across all Minnesota State colleges, the school system expanded scholarships in certain studies.
Kent said as part of the safety plans, most classes will be online or it’ll be a hybrid of online and in-person.
Students are only required to come to campus if they need in-person classes or labs. For examples, programs in healthcare services, advanced manufacturing and agriculture need hands-on experience.
“Inside the plan, we’ll issue hand sanitizer key chains to every person coming into campus,” Kent explained.
The plans also include giving washable masks to everyone on campus and installing dividers in hallways.
Kent added that the ultimate goal is to create a learning environment without distractions.
“I know we care about students, I know we care about each other and I’m excited we’re here for them,” said Kent.
