HARRISBURG, Pa. – On April 4, 2023, the Board of Trustees of HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, adopted a $116-million budget for 2023-24.

The College’s 2023-24 budget includes an increase in tuition and cost-saving measures to offset a projected $400,000 deficit. The budget does not include layoffs or furloughs. 

“This budget reflects careful consideration of a projected decline of 8% in HACC’s enrollment, the growing national dialogue questioning the value of a college education and the impact inflation will have on College operations,” said HACC President and CEO John J. “Ski” Sygielski, MBA, Ed.D.

“Budget development is an extensive process that involves feedback from various College employees. Their contributions are important to achieving the HACC Board of Trustees’ mandate that HACC operates with a balanced budget,” Sygielski said.

Tuition

The 2023-24 budget includes a 5% increase in tuition for non-sponsored, sponsored and College in the High School students. Out-of-state tuition will increase to $325 per student per credit, and dual enrollment tuition will increase to $175 per credit. The budget does not include an increase in college fees.

The tuition increases for the fall 2023 semester:
 

• Tuition for non-sponsored students has been increased by $11.75 per credit.
• Tuition for sponsored students has been increased by $9.50 per credit.
• Tuition for College in the High School (CHS) has been increased by $4 per credit.
• Tuition for out-of-state students has been increased by $41.75 per credit.
• Tuition for dual-enrolled students has been increased by $42.50 per credit.

As a majority of HACC students are non-sponsored part-time students, tuition will increase approximately $11.75 per credit for the average student. 

To help students pay for their education, current and future students can:

• Enter to win $2,000 for their fall 2023 tuition  
• Apply for a variety of scholarships available through the HACC Foundation, including full-ride scholarships that cover 100% of the cost of earning a HACC credential. These funds do not need to be repaid by the recipients. 

The HACC Foundation also provides funds to help students who need food, housing and clothing to make it easier for them to focus on their education.

Since July 1, 2022, the HACC Foundation has distributed: 

• $829,175.88 in scholarship funding to students
• $30,017.37 in emergency assistance funding to students
• $208, 375.75 in tuition giveaway funding to students

Remaining Student Focused

“We care about our students and will continue to work to provide them with the tools to accomplish their goals. HACC remains focused on their success by providing free academic support services, wraparound support and resources to address non-academic needs,” Sygielski said.

To ensure student success, the College:

• Added 66 new workforce development partnerships for a total of 198 partnerships to support student training needs
• Established affinity groups for students who identify as men of color, sisters of color, Latinx, LGBTQ+ or single parents
• Addressed basic needs of students in its Consultation, Advocacy, Referrals and Empowerment (CARE) Center through 780 student interactions, such as Free Meal Thursdays, and individual needs assessments and interventions
• Served over 140 students in the Men of Color Initiatives through programming and small group and individual weekly meetings in addition to providing Foundational Studies classes for men of color at HACC and John Harris High School
• Provided tutoring to over 1,050 students 
• Served 1,497 students with career coaching and services
• Served 1,770 students with student success coaching
   

Cost-Saving Measures

The College will employ several cost-saving measures to address the deficit and remain fiscally responsible, including:

• Offering retirement incentives to full-time employees who meet the requirements. There are approximately 200 employees eligible for the incentive, which – depending on adoption rates and fill rates – could result in an anticipated savings of $3 million to $5 million.
• Freezing or eliminating 23 open positions 
• Reducing overtime, except in extenuating circumstances
• Consolidating low-enrolled courses 

 
For more information about HACC, including previous budgets, please see our College Fact Sheet.

About HACC
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, is the first and largest of Pennsylvania’s 15 community colleges. HACC offers approximately 100 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to approximately 14,023 students. Also, the College serves students at its Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York campuses; through virtual learning; and via workforce development and continuing education training. For more information on how HACC is uniquely YOURS, visit hacc.edu. Also, follow us on Twitter (@HACC_info), follow us on Instagram (@HACC_edu), like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HACC64) and use #HACCNews.