MOSES LAKE - Tuition at Big Bend Community College will remain unchanged for the 2013-14 academic year.

The Washington Board of Community and Technical Colleges froze tuition for all colleges in its jurisdiction. Tuition will remain at $4,000 for in-state residents taking 15 credits a semester for the full academic year, and $9,235 for out of state residents with the same credits, according to information from the board.

"Obviously, we're very pleased for our students," BBCC President Terry Leas said.

The college serves a large number of low-income students, Leas said, and cost can be a barrier even with financial aid. "I think this is a good move."

Of course, tuition pays part of the cost of college operation, but Leas said the college is in pretty good financial shape, at least for the 2013-14 academic year. Inflation appears to be under control, which is a positive factor, he said.

"We feel good about this year's budget," he said. The college didn't experience any cuts in state funding for 2013-14, he said.

On the one hand, college officials want college to be accessible and affordable, but on the other, the college needs adequate resources to ensure a quality education, he said. College officials will be looking for ways to plug funding gaps, and looking for alternate funding sources, he said.