CCBC covers summer tuition for high schoolers, forgives student debt

The Community College of Baltimore County recently announced impactful, student-centered initiatives that will soon take effect.

These efforts include covering summer tuition for high school students in the Early College Access Program (ECAP) and forgiving approximately $2.2 million in outstanding student debt, schools officials said.

These initiatives, aimed at enhancing accessibility and affordability for students pursuing higher education, are an extension of CCBC’s “long history of breaking down financial barriers for its students, including offering a tuition-free experience,” says a statement released by the school.

“CCBC’s commitment to making higher education accessible and affordable is underscored by these initiatives.”

In the 2023-24 academic year, 85% of CCBC students benefited from full or partial tuition.

Additional details about the aforementioned initiatives include:

Tuition-free summer classes for high school students: CCBC is filling the 50% financial gap high school students need to take courses 100% tuition free for the summer. Now, public, private or homeschooled students can enroll in summer classes at CCBC only paying for books and fees. This initiative is expected to save students approximately $366 per typical three-credit class, with CCBC allocating approximately $350,000 to support this effort.Debt forgiveness initiative: CCBC has forgiven approximately $2.2 million in outstanding student debt resulting in a tuition-free experience. This initiative benefited over 4,000 credit and Continuing Education students owing less than $1,000 from either the 2022-23 or 2023-24 academic year. By alleviating this financial burden, CCBC enabled these students to continue their academic journeys without the stress of unpaid tuition, encouraging their re-enrollment and progression towards degree completion.

“Many students hit financial roadblocks that stall their educational journeys,” CCBC President Sandra Kurtinitis said.

“That’s why we’re excited to offer these tuition-free initiatives to make college more accessible. We want to lift the financial burden of education so students can focus on their studies, not their wallets. CCBC’s tuition-free opportunities can be life-changing.”

While national trends showing significant increases in tuition costs, CCBC officials said the school has maintained consistent tuition rates for in-county residents since 2018. According to the Education Data Initiative, tuition and fees at public four-year institutions have risen by 179.2% over the last 20 years, with an average annual increase of 9%.

Summer classes at CCBC are currently underway, with a new five-week session starting on July 15.