Higher education costs continue to skyrocket throughout Virginia and across the nation. More students and families are finding that their local community college is a smart choice for high quality instruction resulting in few, if any, student loans to repay after they graduate.
Chancellor Glenn DuBois, who leads all 23 community colleges in the Commonwealth, is working to achieve the goal that community college tuition in Virginia will remain affordable and “…not exceed half of the average cost to attend a public four-year institution.”
This fall, students may attend Dabney S. Lancaster Community College for only $132.50 per credit hour, which includes all fees. A full-time student taking 16 credits, for example, would pay $2,120 for the entire semester, or $4,240 for the year. Most students can earn an associate degree by spending under $10,000 for tuition, fees and books by attending DSLCC and living at home – this would be less than the cost of leaving the area to attend a four-year institution for only one year.
“Students take advantage of the financial benefits of attending DSLCC,” commented Dr. Michael Scott, vice president for Instruction, Student Services, and Research at the College. “Most students are able to save money by enrolling here with our affordable tuition and, by supplementing the savings with earnings from part-time employment, have a sizable amount of money toward the cost of earning a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university.
“In addition to the financial advantages of attending DSLCC, they can focus on their studies if they become part of one of the College’s Guaranteed Admission Agreements in place with over 30 colleges and universities. Some high school students make plans during their junior or senior years and do not have to complete the process of applying to admission to earn a bachelor’s degree at their four-year college of choice – they know that by completing two years under one of these arrangements and successfully meeting the requirements, they are guaranteed admission to institutions such as Radford University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech, or numerous other institutions listed on the Virginia Community College System site http://www.vccs.edu/Students/TransferList/tabid/106/Default.aspx. Additional transfer agreements that DSLCC has in place for graduates include American Public University, Bridgewater College, James Madison University, Roanoke College, and Virginia Intermont College. All in all, our students come out the winners – less stress and more money,” concluded Scott.
Students may wish to enroll in occupational/technical courses to gain skills for the workplace. From welding to forensic science to information systems technology to massage therapy, DSLCC offers a wide range of programs from which to choose. Visit www. dslcc.edu for a complete listing.
Registration for fall semester is underway. Enrollment figures are strong but several programs still have openings in selected courses. DSLCC welcomes applications for admission from new students and will guide individuals through the process of placement testing, registering for classes and selecting one of three New Student Orientation sessions scheduled during August. Fall Semester will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 21. Call Student Services at 540-863-2820 or the DSLCC Rockbridge Regional Center at 540-261-1211.