January 19, 2011

The Medicine Hat College board of governors yesterday approved tuition fees for the 2011/2012 school year, keeping increases to a minimum.

The overall tuition rate for 2011/2012 will increase .31%. While students will see per credit charges go up by 2.65%, surcharges will be eliminated, thus lowering the overall tuition increase. Surcharges were initiated several years ago to help launch new programs. 

“A student attending a three-credit course next fall will pay $355.74 for the course,” said Allen VandenBerg, vice president of student and external relations. “This ensures that Medicine Hat College will stay amongst the most affordable secondary education institutions in the province.”

Fees for apprentices in 2011/2012 will also see a small increase. The apprentice tuition fees, which are approved by the minister of advanced education and technology, will be $95.00 per week, up from $94.00.

College staff consulted with students in November 2010 to discuss tuition increases, and presented a four-year forecast at the time. The forecasted tuition increase for 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 is 1% each year, with an increase of 2% in 2014/2015.

Tuition fees can only be increased at Medicine Hat College if the average tuition fee increase for all programs does not exceed the product of the average tuition fees in the 2010/2011 academic year, multiplied by the percentage annual change in the Alberta Consumer Price Index. For 2011/2012 this increase is .35%.

College president Dr. Ralph Weeks said he is happy that the tuition increase will be minimal.

“We’re very pleased to continue our work with government partners to keep education affordable in our region,” he said.

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Medicine Hat College offers a broad-based academic curriculum that includes degree and applied degree, diploma, academic upgrading, continuing studies, and apprenticeship programs. With more than 400 full-time employees and 2,600 students, the college has campuses in Medicine Hat, Brooks, and in Hunan Province, China. For more information, visit www.mhc.ab.ca .

Media requests:

Jennifer Thompson
Media Officer
Medicine Hat College
Direct: 403.529.3643
Email: jthompson@mhc.ab.ca