NorthWest Arkansas Community College to raise fees in July

Students attending NorthWest Community College (NWACC) in Bentonville will see higher fees starting July 1, but tuition levels will remain the same, according to school officials. The board of trustees at the college passed the fee increases on Monday (March 9) amid rising operational costs. The college said it is necessary to increase fees associated with higher costs of technical and professional programs.

The college said just one fee increase will impact all students — the library fee, which will jump from $2 to $3 per semester hour effective July, 1. The board also approved a higher Health Profession’s Technology fee of $20 per semester college hour, an increase from $15. The Culinary Lab Fee will go to $295 per course, a $30 increase. The Construction Technology Lab fee will be $100 per course, rising from $75.

NWACC officials said the revenue generated from higher fees will be spent accordingly:

• Pay for annual database inflation that averages $10,000 per year.
• Assist with higher employment costs for library staff amid the rising minimum wage.
• Offset an increase in software and hardware costs in the healthcare professions division.
• Offset increased ingredient and food coats of the culinary curriculum.
• Assisting with the cost of consumables, building materials and equipment in construction technology studies.

NWACC’s budget for this year is $43.6 million and college officials said they are committed to a balanced budget, and the higher fees are necessary as expenses are rising.

The college reported a fall 2019 enrollment of 8,383 students.