The Flathead Valley Community College board of trustees unanimously voted Monday afternoon to increase tuition and fees by $4.60 per credit hour for the 2015-16 school year.

On a recommendation from FVCC President Jane Karas — who cited a decrease in state funding as a major reason for the increase — the board raised the tuition and fees after a brief discussion.

“The raise comes out to about $4.29 per week,” Karas said. “We know for some students, that’s a lot of money. We figure it’s about the cost of one less latte a week.” 

She added that even for students challenged by the tuition increase, FVCC offered scholarships and payment plans to lessen the financial burden. More than 70 percent of the college’s students receive some form of financial assistance.

The increase totals $128.80 per student per year. Tuition will go up $4 per credit and fees by 60 cents per credit. 

Total tuition and fees for each college credit through FVCC will be $138.40 for in-district students, $187.40 for out-of-district students and $393.40 for out-of-state students.

The college has not increased tuition since 2012-13, when it raised it by $1.60 a credit. In fiscal years 2010-11 and 2011-12, the college increased tuition by $2 each year. The downtown in the economy and ample state funding allowed the college to avoid increasing tuition in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

“I don’t think any of us want to vote for a tuition increase,” board member Mark Holston said. “But the necessity is pretty obvious and the cost is pretty small.”

Total annual costs for a full-time student (one taking between 14 and 18 credits) now will be $3,965.20 for in-district, $5,337.20 for out-of-district or $11,105.20 for out-of-state students.

That’s a 3.36 percent increase in costs for in-district students in Flathead and Lincoln counties, a 2.5 percent increase for other Montanans and a 1.1 percent increase for out-of-state students.

“We had a smaller appropriation from the Legislature than we expected,” Karas said. “All our local legislators were very supportive of our college and of trying to get us funding, but they represent only a sliver of the Legislature.” 

By comparison, the University of Montana charges $6,182 per year in tuition and fees for in-state students, according to its website. Montana State University estimates tuition and fees at around $6,800. Karas said both Miles and Dawson community colleges increased or planned to increase tuition as well. 

“I do truly believe with the quality of education we provide, residents of Lincoln and Flathead counties are able to receive a very good education at a very affordable cost,” Karas said.

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.