Tuition rates are going up for most programs at the Nova Scotia Community College.
College officials announced a three per cent increase for the 2018-19 academic year last week.
They say the hike is an additional $95 in annual tuition for the majority of their students, and it’s needed to help offset rising costs and deliver a balanced budget.
Tom Gunn, principal of NSCC Strait Area Campus, tells The Hawk he’s not concerned students won’t be able to afford it.
“We have a lot more supports for students than we used to with the Make Way campaign,” he says. “For students who are struggling, the college today has a lot of options to support them.”
Gunn says it’s a reasonable increase compared to universities, especially given the quality of education at the college.
As a program outside of the standard fee structure, the Heavy Equipment Operator program is a local offering that won’t be impacted by the increase.