Board of Trustees Passes FY 2019 Budget
In an effort to strike a balance between providing students with the highest quality education while still keeping the cost of a college education within their reach, the Raritan Valley Community College Board of Trustees last night passed a $55.5 million budget for FY 2019. The new budget includes a $6 per credit tuition increase.
“The new budget will ensure that RVCC can continue to fulfill its mission of providing our students with outstanding instruction and services to support success, while keeping tuition affordable. Recognizing that these are challenging fiscal times as we face a decline in the number of young people graduating from high school, the College has taken responsible measures to cut $500,000 in operating costs by restructuring administrative positions and through attrition,” said RVCC President Michael J. McDonough.
The new tuition of $153 per credit will take effect for the Fall 2018 semester. For the average full-time student taking 30 credits during the academic year, tuition would increase by $180. For the average part-time student taking 12 credits during the academic year, tuition would increase by $72.
The operating budget reflects a 4.1% increase over last year. The increase is due to rises in contractual costs for employee healthcare and other benefits, and a continued decline in the size of the area high school graduation classes.
It is anticipated that funding for the operating budget would come from the following sources:
Tuition and fees 63.4%
State of New Jersey 11.7%
Somerset and Hunterdon Counties 24.8%
Other (investments, rentals, etc.) .1%
(Auxiliary services are not included in these figures)
The Board also approved a $6.6 million major capital budget and a $750,000 minor capital budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Some of the major components of the capital budget include:
• $3 million for renovating and expanding the Arts Building, the oldest building on campus
• $1.5 million for a new enrollment/student success center, creating a one-stop location for student support services
• $425,000 for upgrading mechanical systems
• $250,000 for renovating classrooms
The operating and capital budgets now go to the Board of School Estimate for approval. The Board of School Estimate includes two freeholders from Somerset County, two freeholders from Hunterdon County, and two members of the RVCC Board of Trustees.
Following is a list of the new tuition rates approved by the Board and effective for the Fall 2018 Semester:
Fall 2018 Tuition Schedule
| Hunterdon/Somerset County Residents | $153 per credit |
| Out-of-county residents (Board grants a waiver of $45 per credit to students who provide verification of employment in Somerset or Hunterdon Counties) | $198 per credit |
| Out-of-state residents | $198 per credit |
| Early College Program | $200 for all courses taken at participating high schools; regular College tuition and fees apply to all courses taken at the main campus. |
| RVCC Online Courses & NJ Virtual Community College Courses | $202 per credit; no fees charged. |
| Hunterdon/Somerset Senior Citizens minimum age 65. One course per semester on a space available basis. May register during the 5 business days prior to course start. | No tuition assessed; $33 enrollment service fee. Course books/materials extra cost. Audit status, no credit awarded. |
| NJ National Guard & Reserves | Free tuition for up to 16 credits per term for individual only; fees apply. |
| Volunteer Emergency Medical Personnel and Firefighters | Free tuition for up to $600 per year and $2,400 lifetime per family of volunteer; fees apply. |
| September 11 Victims’ Families | Free tuition for children and spouses of victims; fees apply. |
Raritan Valley Community College’s main campus is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2018
Media contact: Donna Stolzer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8383
PR #122