Cost To Attend Nic May Decrease

The cost to attend North Idaho College may decrease, despite a proposal to raise tuition and fees next fall.

The NIC Board of Trustees will consider a recommendation to raise tuition by $25 and student fees $21 per semester at its Wednesday meeting.

But, a student government proposal to drop required student health insurance from the fees could save students money.

Associated Students of NIC surveyed students and found widespread opposition to the $91 student health insurance included in student fees, said Steve Schenk, dean of college relations.

The student government decided instead to require only a $6 fee for accidental health insurance coverage.

The current cost to attend NIC is $490 per semester.

With all those changes, student tuition and fees actually would drop $39 overall to $451 per semester.

The cost of optional comprehensive student health insurance will increase, however, because of fewer participants, Schenk said.

The college needs to increase tuition and fees because of inflationary costs, said Rolly Jurgens, dean of administration.

“We anticipate we’ll have some salary increases, and we anticipate health benefits will go up,” he said.

NIC probably will remain one of the least expensive community colleges in the region, however.

This year’s tuition at the College of Southern Idaho was $500 per semester and Spokane community colleges cost more than $700 per semester.

The NIC trustees will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Kootenai Room of the Student Union Building.

Also on the agenda are student housing issues and a decision to move welding classes back to the Hedlund Building.