Pima Community College has introduced a $10-per-credit fee for dual enrollment courses, which will be implemented in the 2027-28 school year. This decision was made after the Pima Community College Governing Board passed its budget, citing a combination of expanded enrollment, rising operating costs, and lack of state funding as the reasons for the new fee.

Dual Enrollment Courses

Dual enrollment courses allow high school students to take college-level courses for both high school and college credit. At Pima Community College, these courses have typically been free, providing a pathway for students who may not have considered college. The college offers these courses at 43 Southern Arizona high schools, with English, math, and career and technical education being the most common types of courses taken.

According to Education Forward Arizona, a nonprofit advocating for high-quality education, one-third of all high school students nationally take a dual enrollment course, while in Arizona, it’s one in four students. The program has been successful, with five Desert View High School graduates earning their associate’s degree the day before they were awarded their high school diplomas.

Impact on Students

The introduction of the fee may provide a barrier for many students, making it less accessible to all high school students. However, Pima Community College is exploring a scholarship or waiver for families who may need it. The college’s current tuition is just over $100 a credit for in-state students, and the University of Arizona is about $500 a credit.

Pima Community College’s $347 million budget was the focus of the meeting, with the college facing funding cuts from the federal government and underfunding from the state. The budget includes a 2% property tax hike for Pima County residents and a bond question for the November ballot.

Original reporting: Arizona Luminaria — read the source article.