LA PLATA, Md. (May 27, 2016)—The College of Southern Maryland Board of Trustees set tuition at its May 19 board meeting for the upcoming academic year, with a 2.5 percent increase for Southern Maryland students, effective fall 2016. Tuition for residents of Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties will increase by $3 per credit to $123 per credit. Tuition for Maryland residents outside of the tri-county region will increase by $6 per credit to $213 per credit and for out-of-state residents by $7 per credit to $275 per credit. The comprehensive fee remains at 23 percent of tuition.
CSM's operating budget is supported by funding from the state, the three counties of Southern Maryland, and tuition and fees. The Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) budget of $63,510,161 is based on approved funding by the state and Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties. Of the total revenues, tuition and fees constitute nearly 48 percent, county appropriations 29 percent and state funding nearly 22 percent with 1 percent from other sources.
"Our budget is based on conservative revenue estimates, and we are particularly grateful for the increased support we expect from the state this year and the continued commitments by the boards of county commissioners in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties. Due to these commitments, the college has been able to keep tuition increases reasonable in order to continue to provide a quality education," said CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried.
Gottfried noted that "within our community, CSM is the first choice for Southern Maryland's college-bound students and with our growing number of transfer articulations and guaranteed admissions, our graduates are able to move through their first two years of college near home and at a substantial savings over state colleges and universities. More importantly, beyond cost and convenience, CSM offers an education that includes rigorous scholars and honors programs, study abroad opportunities, and collegiate societies, clubs and athletics."
In presenting the recommended budget to the Board of Trustees, CSM Vice President of Financial and Administrative Services Tony Jernigan, CPA, advised the college's FY17 operating budget reflects conservative estimated revenues with a 0.7 percent increase in county support and a 6.6 percent increase in state aid from FY16.
Overall, the FY17 budget is nearly equal to FY16's with less than a 1 percent increase while including funds to begin operations at the new Regional Hughesville Campus upon the anticipated completion midway through the year of the Center for Trades and Energy Training. The budget includes an adult education coordinator to support the Prince Frederick and Leonardtown campuses, the fifth-grade water safety program at Leonardtown Campus and 10 additional hours per week for the Community Mediation coordinator in Charles County.
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. For information on the payment plan, contact the Bursar's Office at 301-934-7712 or visit http://www.csmd.edu/Bursar/Tuition/paymentplan.htm.
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. Most scholarships have a May 31 deadline, and applications are accepted online at http://www.csmd.edu/costs-aid/credit-costs-aid/scholarships-financial-aid/scholarships/scholarship-finder/. 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.