LA PLATA, Md.—Tuition at the College of Southern Maryland will increase by less than 2 percent, effective for the fall 2013 semester, with residents of Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties to pay an additional $2 per credit (1.8 percent). Tuition for Maryland residents outside of the tri-county region will increase by $3 per credit and for out-of-state residents by $4 per credit. The comprehensive fee remains at 23 percent of tuition.
CSM’s budget is supported by funding from the state, the three counties of Southern Maryland, and tuition and fees. The Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14) budget of $62,090,619 reflects an overall increase of 4.27 percent over the previous year and is based on anticipated funding to be provided at the state and county levels. Of the total revenues, tuition and fees constitute 50 percent, county appropriations 28 percent and state funding 19.5 percent.
“Because of the funding support provided by the State and our County Commissioners in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s, we are able to make some major strides while keeping tuition increases modest,” said CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried.
Included within the budget to enhance and provide a greater level of direct support for students are new positions including four counselors (two at the La Plata Campus, one at the Prince Frederick Campus and one at the Leonardtown Campus), a college-wide student conduct/special projects coordinator, a mentor to promote minority student success, a testing center proctor to benefit all campuses, and a veterans affairs coordinator and a business office assistant at the Leonardtown Campus, explained Gottfried. The budget also includes funds to expand course offerings, add a lacrosse program and other strategic initiatives.
In presenting the recommended budget to the CSM Board of Trustees, CSM Vice President of Financial and Administrative Services Tony Jernigan, CPA advised the college’s FY14 operating budget supports an anticipated flat enrollment and continues to fund the college’s contribution for Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB). The budget includes increased scholarship funding and the conversion of existing positions within nursing and service learning that have been funded previously by grants.
“CSM continues to be well-positioned to provide outstanding services to our students and patrons,” said Gottfried. “Students can attend CSM, receive an excellent education and earn a degree, then transfer to complete their bachelor’s degree. CSM’s growing number of articulations at many of the state’s universities and colleges means that our transfer students can stay on track and be successful doing so at a much more manageable cost for their baccalaureate degrees.”
CSM’s tuition and fees may be paid over a four-month period through CSM’s Tuition Payment Plan which is available to students enrolled with six or more credits. Since the plan is not a loan program, there is no debt, no credit search and no interest or finance charge assessed on the unpaid balance. The cost is a $50 per semester non-refundable enrollment fee.
The college also offers an online program that helps students to easily identify and apply for potential scholarships. The CSM Scholarship Finder is a quick, easy and free service that helps Southern Maryland students match their backgrounds and financial needs to dozens of local scholarships in a wide variety of academic programs.
For information on the payment plan, contact the Bursar’s Office at 301-934-7712 or 301-870-2309, 240-725-5499 or 443-550-6199, ext. 7712 or visit http://www.csmd.edu/Bursar/Tuition/paymentplan.htm. To use CSM’s Scholarship Finder visit http://www.csmd.edu/Financial/. For information on scholarships and financial aid assistance at CSM, call 301-934-7531 or 301-870-2309, 240-725-5499 or 443-550-6199, Ext. 7531.
Source: CSM