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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

State Passes 2011-12 Budget:  Restores Some Aid to Community Colleges


Last Thursday, the New York State Legislature passed the State's 2011-2012 budget one day early.  The good news is that the enacted budget restores $12.9 million or $88 per full-time equivalent student (FTE) in base aid to community colleges.  This brings the state aid rate to $2,122 per FTE for the 2011-12 academic year.  The current 2010-2011 rate is $2,260 per FTE.

Under current budget estimates, the rate increase restores approximately $1.4 million in state funding.  Coupled with the latest enrollment estimates upon which aid is calculated,   total state aid is budgeted at $35.7 million for 2012.  This represents a reduction from this year's budget of $2.7 million or approximately 7 percent.  

We are pleased with the action of the Legislature. The continuing challenge for the college, however is that over the last three years, the state has cut our base aid by nearly 21 percent from the 2008/09 rate of $2,675.  

While this reduction is significant, it is important to note that the College has been proactive in approaching this issue.  The President and her Cabinet engaged in serious cost management discussions beginning early last fall.  At that time the possible funding impact to MCC was over $7 million, the amount in aid supported by expiring Federal Stimulus funds.  In the end, the reduction is estimated to come in at $2.7 million.  Along with the solid cost saving efforts of many across the College, the Cabinet's budget management initiatives put MCC 'ahead of the curve.'  Though it will take continued fiscal diligence and innovation, MCC has responded and is ready to continue doing what it does best: serving our students. 

One final and crucial point: The maximum Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award for students in two-year programs at public institutions (i.e. community colleges) and in nursing programs at all institutions has been restored to $5,000 from $4,000.  This is good news indeed.

Darrell Jachim-Moore
Administrative Services
04/06/2011