Enrollment rises 10% after CCV offers in-state tuition to neighbors

New student enrollment for fall 2016 at Community College of Vermont (CCV) is 10 percent higher than it was last year at this time following a CCV initiative that allows residents of certain counties in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New York to be eligible for in-state tuition rates beginning in the fall 2016 semester.

   

2016-07-06 / Front Page Enrollment rises 10% after CCV offers in-state tuition to neighbors By Tory Jones Bonenfant toryb@eagletimes.com SPRINGFIELD — New student enrollment for fall 2016 at Community College of Vermont (CCV) is 10 percent higher than it was last year at this time following a CCV initiative that allows residents of certain counties in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New York to be eligible for in-state tuition rates beginning in the fall 2016 semester. Overall enrollment for the college’s 12 centers is “nearly level with where we were at this time last year,” but CCV expects a spike in activity following Independence Day and into August, usually the case for that time of year, according to Matt Miller, public relations specialist for CCV. Enrollment for fall 2015 was 6,385, with an average class size of 13, according to the college’s website. The increase in new student enrollment for the fall semester is based on the numbers available as of July 5, he said. Students in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New York counties that border Vermont are now eligible for the 2016-2017 academic year in-state tuition rate of $253 per credit, which would make most classes roughly $759. For 2016 -2017, tuition for most out-of-state students is $506 per credit, which translates to a savings of 50 percent for the neighboring-state students who now qualify for the lower rate. The new program applies to all students who live in Cheshire, Sullivan, Grafton and Coos counties in New Hampshire; students in Franklin and Berkshire counties in Massachusetts; and students in Washington and Rensselaer counties in New York. CCV has a center in Springfield, along with 11 other centers in Brattleboro, Upper Valley, Bennington, Rutland, and St. Johnsbury — all border regions to other states. Miller did not have enrollment statistics on hand specifically for the Springfield center. For students from neighboring counties who are interested in the NEBHE program, applying to CCV is simple, with an open admissions policy, no application fee, no essays, and no SAT scores required, Miller said. CCV President Joyce Judy said this spring that by offering students in neighboring states the same tuition rates that Vermont residents pay, “more people will be able to benefit from our diverse courses, open admissions, and the opportunities that come with a CCV degree.” Judy said the community college was “thrilled” to announce the new program and to continue its efforts to help students overcome barriers to higher education, while reducing the financial burden of a college degree. The reduced tuition rates for New Hampshire and Massachusetts students are offered through the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) Tuition Break program, and for New York students through the Good Neighbor policy approved by the Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees. The community college also has other new programs in the works. As part of CCV’s effort to collaborate with Vermont employers on workforce development, CCV is partnering with G.S. Precision in Brattleboro to offer a Certified Production Technician training program to prospective employees. The partnership is intended to help G.S. Precision “close a skills gap at its Brattleboro facility” and prepare individuals to fill open positions, Miller said. Participants are recruited from the community and referred to the company for interviews. The company then refers participants to the training program and guarantees employment to people who finish the program. Incumbent G.S. Precision employees will also be referred to the training, which began its first round in late May. This fall, CCV is also launching a new, accelerated training program to help solve Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s need for trained medical assistants, Miller said. CCV’s workforce group has collaborated with hospital staff to identify the competencies medical assistants need to be successful in the workplace. The program consists of five courses, or 15 credits, completed over 14 weeks. The hospital will interview individuals entering the program and will offer employment to eight people upon training completion. Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is providing scholarships for the eight individuals they select for the program. CCV serves more than 7,000 students each semester with online learning options for degree and certificate programs, workforce, secondary and continuing education opportunities, and academic and veterans support services. To make a registration appointment, students can find their local CCV centers at http://ccv.edu/find/. More information on classes and programs is available at http://ccv.edu/explore-ccv-programs/.