Heartland Community College students face possible tuition, fee hike

Posted on February 15, 2021
Heartland’s leaders say even with the increase, the school will remain the district’s most affordable higher education option. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

NORMAL – The governing board of Heartland Community College will decide next week whether students should pay more to attend the school based in Normal.

Trustees are set to vote Tuesday on a proposal raising tuition and fees 3.7%, or $6 per credit hour to $169. That’s on top of what school leaders said was a “reasonable escalation” of $5 per credit hour in recent years.

If approved, higher tuition and fees would take effect for the summer semester.

Administrators cited several reasons for the increase, including a budget deficit this fiscal year, anticipated salary increases for faculty, decreased utility tax revenue, and a potential decline in state government funding.

Heartland’s leaders say even with the increase, the school will remain the district’s most affordable higher education option.

Heartland Community College District 540 serves a corridor along Interstate 55 that includes Pontiac, Bloomington-Normal, and Lincoln.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected]. 

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