The State Board for Community Colleges has mandated an in-state tuition increase that will impact Rappahannock Community College students.

Beginning this fall, the cost of a typical three-credit class for Rappahannock Community College students will increase by $16.50 and the cost of a full load of 15 credits per semester by $82.50, according to RCC spokesperson Tom Martin.

The state board, at its May meeting, has established the 2012-2013 in-state tuition and mandatory fee rate at $124.50 per credit hour.
General fund investments made by Gov. Bob McDonnell and the General Assembly during the 2012 legislative session kept this increase to a minimum, Martin said.

The general fund increase of nearly $21 million represents the first time in six years that state support per in-state VCCS student funding has increased. Martin added that the 4.6 percent increase is needed to support community college enrollment growth; to expand STEM-H programs; to increase the percentage of course...