State Board for Community Colleges to Consider 2023-24 Tuition and Fees at July Meeting

In accordance with Section 23.1-307 (D) of the Code of Virginia, the State Board for Community Colleges provides notice that it will consider tuition and mandatory fee increases for Virginia’s Community Colleges, effective fall 2023, at 9 a.m. on July 20, 2023, at the Virginia Community College System, System Office, 300 Arboretum Place, Richmond, VA 23236.

The State Board traditionally considers tuition and fee increases during its May meeting, but the Board delayed action on the matter until after the General Assembly and Governor conclude their deliberations on the State Budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

At its July meeting, the State Board will consider mandatory tuition and fee increases of between 0 percent and 4.7 percent for all undergraduate students, subject to budget provisions of the 2023 General Assembly. The maximum potential increase equates to a tuition and education and general fee rate of $161.25 per credit-hour for in-state students and would result in a net annual increase of $217 for a student enrolling in thirty credit-hours during the academic year. The community colleges will use revenue generated from any increase in mandatory fees to pay for mandatory cost increases associated with compensation and benefit increases, contractual obligations, technology and strategic initiatives, inflationary cost impacts, debt service, and potential adjustments to student fees.

Written comments from the public will be accepted through July 19 and will be made available to the Board before action on tuition is taken. Written comments may be sent to Rose Marie Owen, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, at rmowen@vccs.edu, or they may be mailed to the attention of Rose Marie Owen at:

Office of the Chancellor
Virginia Community College System
300 Arboretum Parkway
Richmond, Virginia 23236

State Board for Community Colleges to Consider 2022-23 Tuition and Fees at May Meeting

In accordance with Section 23.1-307 (D) of the Code of Virginia, the State Board for Community Colleges provides notice that it will consider tuition and mandatory fee increases for Virginia’s Community Colleges, effective fall 2022, at 9 a.m. on May 19, 2022, at the Virginia Community College System, System Office, 300 Arboretum Place, Richmond, VA 23236.

The State Board will consider mandatory tuition and fee increases of between 0 percent and 4.0 percent for all undergraduate students, subject to budget provisions of the 2022 General Assembly special session. The maximum potential increase equates to a base tuition rate of $160.15 per-credit-hour for in-state students and would result in a net annual increase of $184.50 for a student enrolling in thirty credit hours during the academic year. The community colleges will use revenue generated from any increase in mandatory fees to pay for mandatory cost increases associated with compensation and benefit increases, contractual obligations, technology, and strategic initiatives, inflationary cost impacts, debt service, and potential adjustments to student fees.

Written comments from the public will be accepted through May 18 and will be made available to the Board before action on tuition is taken. Written comments may be sent to Rose Marie Owen, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, at rmowen@vccs.edu, or they may be mailed to

President Biden and First Lady visit TCC’s Portsmouth Campus

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited Tidewater Community College’s Portsmouth Campus today to talk about the American Family Plan, a proposed initiative to help working families.

The plan would create four additional years of free public education and make preschool free for all 3- and 4-year-olds. In addition, the plan would cover at least two years of community college for all students.

“Every child has the capacity to learn,” President Biden said. “We are going to add two years of community college for everyone. For some that will mean earning the credits necessary to transfer to a four-year university. Others will prepare for a career.”

President Biden also talked about increasing Pell grant funding to help break down barriers for students including the cost of transportation and childcare.

President Marcia Conston with TCC Board Chair Cindy Free (left) and Board Vice Chair Lynn Clements. The group welcomed President Biden and Dr. Biden to the college.

TCC President Marcia Conston met with President Biden before he spoke to Virginia legislators, TCC board members and staff.

“This is a great day for TCC,” President Conston said. “I absolutely support this initiative because it’s good for our students and our community. Providing free community college education to everyone is a game-changer and will allow students to prepare for high demand careers without incurring any college debt.”

TCC student Jaidan Williams introduced the president and thanked him for helping students like her and schools like TCC.

TCC cyber security student Jaidan Williams

“TCC has equipped me to become a well-rounded professional and student,” Williams said. “My time at TCC included volunteer opportunities, internships and professional development. As a STEM Promise Scholar, I received a full scholarship, completely easing the financial burden of school.”

Williams is graduating this month with an Associate of Applied Science in Cyber Security. She currently works as a civilian employee for the U.S. Coast Guard but has set her sights on a cyber career.

During their visit to TCC, the Bidens toured a heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) laboratory and watched a demonstration led by HVAC Professor and Program Head Harlan Krepcik.

Professor Krepcik with Dr. Jill Biden, President Biden and students.

Three TCC students worked with Krepcik to connect and measure electrical current through a series of parallel circuits.

“We need skilled technicians and the challenge we face is that the public views the trades as a last choice,” Krepcik said. “Many students would do well coming to community college and getting the hands-on training necessary to enter the skilled trades.”

First Lady Jill Biden, a Northern Virginia Community College English faculty member, has been teaching for more than three decades.

Speaking of Virginia’s Community Colleges, the First Lady added, “Our schools accept everyone, and we offer classes that are flexible. We train students for real-world jobs and provide a strong foundation to those who want to transfer to a four-year school.”