COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA FREEZES TUITION

PHILADELPHIA, July 08, 2008–Community College of Philadelphia President Stephen M. Curtis announced that as the new fiscal year begins, for the first time in nearly two decades, there will be no increase in tuition or fees for students this academic year.

“Community College of Philadelphia will play a crucial role in helping attain Mayor Nutter’s education goals, one of which is to turn Philadelphia into the nation’s premiere education city,” President Curtis said. “More than 80 percent of our graduates remain in Philadelphia, helping the city build a strong workforce and economy.”

The tuition freeze is made possible by Mayor Nutter’s and City Council’s decision to increase funding for the College by $4 million for a total of $28.47 million in fiscal 2008–2009. Currently, tuition for a full-time student taking 24 credits a year is $3,528, the highest tuition of any community college in the state and significantly higher than the average tuition of $2,400 for community colleges nationally.

Student tuition and fees account for approximately 49 percent of the College’s current $111 million operating budget, up from approximately 40 percent in fiscal year 2000.

President Curtis said the increase in city support provides an important opportunity to reduce the financial pressures on current and prospective students. In return, the College has agreed to join the City in an initiative in which the College will seek to produce an additional 1,000 associate’s degree or certificate holders by 2012, offer $50,000-plus in free training to city employees and work with city agencies to strengthen the city’s economic development efforts.