Northeastern Technical College’s board of trustees recently approved a tuition increase beginning this fall semester, which starts on August 20.  Chesterfield, Marlboro and Dillon county residents will now pay $1,476, or $123 per credit hour, to enroll fulltime at the college.  Out-of-county residents will pay $1,572, or $131 per credit hour while out-of-state tuition will increase to $2712, or $226 per credit hour. 

“We are still below the state average for technical college tuition, but increases were necessary in order to continue to provide up-to-date programs and services for our students and for the employers in our area. ” said Dr. Jimmie Williamson, president of Northeastern Technical College.  “With the increase in the Federal Pell Award, we hope that the impact on the student will be minimal.”

Williamson explained that increases in Pell Grant awards and possible Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTA) increases should help to balance the rise in tuition cost.  The federal government recently announced that maximum Pell Grant awards will increase by $260 for the academic year 2007-2008.  Early indications in South Carolina House and Senate budget reviews also indicate an increase in LTA awards, said Williamson.

Pell Grant and LTA amounts are particularly important to Northeastern Technical College, where more than 80 percent of the students are receiving financial assistance.

Williamson explained during the board meeting that more than half of NETC students are receiving Pell Grant awards.  And of that number, more than 75 percent are receiving an average of  $450 cash back after costs associated with enrollment have been paid.

“Despite the increases, students who need it will continue to have access to financial assistance so they can attend college,” he said.

Admission applications for fall semester are due on July 31.  Any students who need to apply for financial assistance for enrollment in the fall semester should start by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

For more information on admissions, visit www.netc.edu or call the college in Cheraw at 921-6900, NETC Pageland at 672-3700, NETC Bennettsville at 479-4284 or NETC Dillon at 921-6900.

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