Despite steady tuition increases among New York state's community colleges, they remain an affordable option for students and a strong economic contributor in many communities.

Under the State University of New York umbrella, there are 30 community colleges. Last year, 209,000 students enrolled in these colleges, a 15-percent increase from 1999. On average, community college tuition is about $2,819 a year.

"There is a high demand by New Yorkers for education that is affordable," said David Henahan, SUNY spokesperson for system administration. "This reflects the high quality and value of education at our community colleges."

For the past three years, Cayuga Community College has maintained a tuition rate of $2,900 a year. CCC President Dr. Dennis Golladay attributes these steady numbers to careful budgeting and local and state government support.

"Our tuition rate still allows this college to be affordable and accessible," Golladay said. "The economy is always changing; we try to maintain a reasonable tuition level that still allows us to operate."

Unlike other SUNY colleges and universities, there are no set costs for tuition and fees. A community college budget is made up of several items, but local aid is essential to the operation of community colleges.

"We need to look at the big picture," said Herbert Marshall, Cayuga County Legislature chairman. "We look at other tuition levels and make sure that our tuition rates are competitive."

There is a fine line between remaining competitive and meeting the college's financial needs. According to Marshall, there are a number of factors that need to be considered when local governments are considering how much money they can contribute to funding a college.

In low-income areas, it is important for legislatures to keep taxes down while still maintaining a reasonable tuition rate.

The state provides approximately one-third of community colleges' operating revenue, day-to-day expenses, and about one-half of their capital budgets, money used for larger campus projects.

In addition to funding provided to schools, New York state has several need-based programs that help students facing financial challenges. Programs like the Tuition Assistance Program cover a majority of tuition costs for students coming from low-income families.

"New York state has the most generous financial aid programs," Marshall said. "We want to make sure the high-quality schools are accessible to all students."

Another income factor in a community college's budget is charge-back, money received from counties whose students attend an out-of-county college. If a student attends a community college outside the county they live in, they do not pay taxes that helps fund the school. To make up the difference, their home county kicks in the money.

Because CCC also has a campus in Oswego County, its charge-back is more than $3 million annually.

"We have a rather healthy charge-back," Golladay said. "That amount continues to grow as our Fulton campus continues to see more students coming in."

If a community college cannot secure enough state and local funding, tuition rises to meet the school's needs. Onondaga Community College raised the cost of tuition for the 2004-05 academic year by $90.

"Raising tuition is always a last resort," said Joe Rufo, OCC's chief financial officer. "To raise tuition is something very serious."

If CCC cannot maintain its level of funding, it may increase tuition for the 2006-07 academic year. Golladay said it is too soon to tell if a tuition increase will be necessary, but the college is taking all options into account.

OCC was able to maintain the same level of funding this year because the county raised its sponsor share by $240,000.

"Our county Legislature believes it is important to invest in the college, even at difficult times," Rufo said.

In exchange for the county's support, OCC accounts for $388,000 of the county's annual earnings.

"Our presence has a positive economic impact that the county sees," Rufo said.

Community college's not only provide local residents access to an affordable education but they also help bring money into the communities where they are located. Teachers and support staff are more likely to shop in local stores and use local facilities. Community colleges also produce a large work force for many areas. Nearly 100 percent of the students that graduate from OCC stay in the central New York area.

Likewise, CCC helps produce a number of nurses who work in the county and their criminal justice department helps bring future police officers to the area. CCC also employees a number of local residents helping to build the economy that way.

"I think CCC is a very important part of our community," Marshall said. "CCC helps support many of the growing aspects of our community."

Staff writer Ashley Lipsky can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235

or ashley.lipsky@lee.net