Case Study 6: To Restrict or Not: Tuition and Fee Waivers for Immigrant Students

Rural Community College (RCC) has experienced many changes in the last 20 years. The college is located in the center of town, population 35,000 and enrolls 2100 full and part-time students. The average student is 25 years old, the gender make-up is 60% women and 40% male and ethnic diversity is 85% White, 12 % Latino, 1.5 % African-American, and 1.5% Cambodian. RCC serves as a feeder college to Rural State University (RSU). Over 95% of the students receive some form of financial aid.

Joaquin Johnson moved up from the faculty ranks to president of RCC. Vaughn Meiller is VP for Instruction, Becky Gates is VP for Student Services, and Attila T. Hun is VP for Business Services. RCC receives their funding from state and local tax funds. RCC, just like other community colleges across the country, has experienced drastic cuts in federal, state and local funding. RCC has kept tuition rate increases to less than 5% annually. Although students have complained about the tuition increases, enrollment continues to climb.