BLINN BOARD SETS NEW TUITION & FEE RATES, APPROVES FAST DUAL CREDIT PROGRAM

  

The Blinn Board of Trustees approved increases to the College’s tuition and fee rates for the 2024-25 academic year at its meeting on Tuesday.

Trustees agreed to raise in-district, out-of-district and non-resident student tuition by $1 per semester credit hour and general fees by $3 per semester credit hour.  Following the adjustments, the College’s rates per semester credit hour will be $64 for in-district students, $123 for out-of-district students, $279 for non-residents and $80 for general fees.

In addition, the board approved changes to housing and meal rates, averaging out to a 1 percent increase. 

The new rates will lead to an extra $1.45 million in tuition and fee revenue and $14,400 in additional meal revenue.  Due to the demolition of the Buccaneer, Katherine Atkinson, Lockett and Spencer residence halls, the College is expecting housing revenue to drop by $380,000. 

Also on Tuesday, the board authorized the College to opt into a new statewide dual credit program that will waive tuition and fees for eligible students enrolled in high school dual credit courses.

Through the new Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) dual credit program, established as part of House Bill 8, the state will reimburse Blinn for FAST-eligible students enrolled in dual credit courses.  Students who qualify will not pay tuition and fees for eligible dual credit courses, books, supplies and other course materials. 

Vice Chancellor for Student Services Dr. Becky McBride said the FAST program will help Blinn serve even more students.  She said, “By waiving dual credit tuition and fees for eligible students, we can better serve our communities while addressing the goals of the state’s Building a Talent Strong Texas higher education strategic plan.”

Students are eligible for the FAST program if they:

1. are enrolled in an eligible dual-credit course at a public school district or charter school (i.e., eligible for Foundation School Program funding); and
2. are taking a course offered through an institutional agreement, as outlined in TAC, Section 4.84, from an institution of higher education that has opted to participate in FAST; and
3. were qualified for free/reduced-price lunch in any of the four school years prior to the academic year in which they enroll in the dual credit course.

In other items, trustees:

• Approved contract negotiations with Shellback Construction for academic building interior renovations on the Brenham Campus.
• Authorized contract negotiations with Hermann Alarms for fire alarm upgrades at Wheeler Hall on the Brenham Campus.