Press Release                                                                                    

Date: May 9,2025

Contact: kpotter2@tctc.edu

Commission Approves Tuition Increase, Elects Officers

PENDLETON --- The Tri-County Technical College Commission voted at its April meeting to increase tuition by 3.4% for in-county students, beginning in the 2025- 2026 academic year.  The decision to increase tuition is based on projections that TCTC will not receive the amount of funding requested in the 2025-2026 state budget.

For full-time students (those taking 12 or more credit hours), tuition would go from $185.33 per credit hour to $191.63 per credit hour starting fall 2025. For a full-time student taking 12 credits, this increase will be an additional $6.30 per credit hour or $75.60 per semester. 

For more details, click here.

This is the first time in five years that the TCTC Commission voted to increase tuition.

“Keeping TCTC accessible remains our top priority,” said Hamid Mohsseni, chair of the TCTC Commission. “One of the key advantages of attending a community college is its affordability.”

“Our students in financial need will still be able to attend at little to no tuition cost because of the robust state and federal aid programs,” said TCTC President Galen DeHay.

Nearly 85% of Tri-County students receive some form of free financial aid which includes funding sources like Pell grants, SCWINS scholarships, Lottery Tuition Assistance, Foundation scholarships, LIFE scholarships and others. 

Financial aid isn’t just for persons who are struggling financially; it can be a resource for everyone, particularly those in workforce shortage areas in South Carolina. The first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

“Tri-County is an affordable option for everyone with many students graduating debt free, thanks to scholarships and financial aid. A two-year degree at Tri-County is a cost-effective way to begin college,” said President DeHay.

Tri-County’s tuition remains the second lowest in the S.C. Technical College System and the lowest in the Upstate. A two-year degree at Tri-County costs roughly less than one semester at a four-year college or university.

In other business, the TCTC Commission elected officers for 2025 – 2026.

Hamid Mohsseni was re-elected to serve his second term as chairman of the College's nine-member governing board. He represents Anderson County.

Jim Wanner of Salem was re-elected vice chair. He represents Oconee County.

Jim Kaplan of Pickens was re-elected secretary. He represents Pickens County.

About Tri-County Technical College

Tri-County Technical College, a public two-year community and technical college serving Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Counties in South Carolina, enrolls more than 9,000 students annually and offers more than 70 major fields of study, including computer technology, industrial electronics, mechatronics, nursing, and university transfer programs. Tri-County boasts the highest student success rate among two-year colleges in the state and ranks in the top one percent nationally for successful student transfers to four-year colleges and universities. To learn more, visit tctc.edu. 

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