Budget Details

Budget Details

Tuition

The 2026-27 budget includes:

1. A $1.98-million decrease in total revenue compared to the 2025-26 budget, primarily driven by lower enrollment projections.
2. No tuition increases for sponsored school districts and a modest increase for non-sponsored and out-of-state students compared to the 2025-26 budget.          

Please note the tuition changes for the fall 2026 semester:

1. Tuition for sponsored in-state students will not increase.   
2. Tuition for non-sponsored in-state students will increase by $1.50 per credit hour.   
3. Tuition for out-of-state students will increase by $32 per credit hour.            

Tuition for dual enrollment and College in the High School students will not change.

The 2026-27 budget reduces the institutional fee by $2.75 per credit by removing the Student Government Association (SGA) fee component for all students.The removal of the SGA fee will not remove SGA and its function as the official voice and representative body of the student population within the College.

To help pay for their education, current and future students are encouraged to apply for scholarships available through the HACC Foundation. These funds do not need to be repaid by the recipients. In addition, current and future HACC students can enter to receive up to $2,000 for their fall 2026 semester tuition and fees.

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

From July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, the HACC Foundation distributed:

• $1,019,214 in scholarship funding to students   
• $66,048 in emergency assistance funding to students   
• $103,412 in tuition giveaway funding to students

In addition, the College’s CARE Center will continue to provide support to HACC students.

Remaining Student Focused

At HACC, our students and their successes will continue to remain our top priority. 

“Our students are the reason we are here. They are the focus of all of our decisions. Therefore, we have and will continue to do everything we can to ensure that HACC remains an affordable option for students who want to advance or complete their education. The 2026-27 budget helps ensure that critical services and resources will be available to students for years to come - regardless of where they take HACC classes,” said Sygielski.

Below are some examples of student successes that the College will continue to make possible:

1. Completing credentials in large numbers
2. Excelling academically and earning national honors  
3. Entering careers or transferring to universities  
4. Overcoming life challenges - from military service to returning adults
5. Graduating from HACC before graduating from high school     

Addressing Barriers to Completion 
The College’s 2026-27 budget decisions prioritize students’ ability to complete credentials without disruption. This includes:

1. Delivering an efficient course schedule that prioritizes student progress by aligning instructional offerings with credential completion pathways   
2. Avoiding delays caused by staffing or scheduling gaps
3. Ensuring teach‑out plans and clear pathways if programs are restructured   

Aligning Workforce and Transfer Outcomes
The 2026-27 budget will reinforce programs that offer clear and viable outcomes for students, including:

1. Employment in high‑demand careers that align with regional industries   
2. Seamless transfer to four‑year institutions  
3. Credentials that can be “stacked” to make progress toward a career or degree     

Cost-Saving Measures and Targeted Hiring

The College will employ several cost-saving measures to address the projected deficit and remain fiscally responsible. 

Total employee compensation represents approximately 79% of College expenses. Therefore, workforce planning and service delivery alignment are key components of the College’s long-term sustainability.  

To reduce disruption to our students and protect their experience, the College is using a disciplined, data-informed approach that prioritizes:

1. Aligning services to student demand and reducing unnecessary or redundant operations  
2. Making changes in phases, with clear transition planning and continuity of student-facing services
3. Consolidating real estate and leases where feasible    

Quality of Instruction and Academic Support

The quality of HACC’s teaching, advising and academic support services will remain strong. 

Targeted hiring will prioritize:

1. Employees in high‑enrollment, high‑demand or mission‑critical programs
2. Student support roles that directly impact student persistence and completion
3. Employee expertise aligned with current workforce demand and transfer curricular ground in coherent student learning outcomes    

Campuses, Buildings and Community Presence

HACC continues to evaluate how to align its facilities and service models with today’s student demand, including the continued growth of distance education. 

“This important work is about alignment, not loss, and maintaining a strong community presence while ensuring resources are focused where they deliver the greatest impact for students,” said Sygielski.

Why Now? 

“Higher education is changing quickly, and student needs and learning preferences are changing with it,” said Sygielski. He added, “I recognize that these are hard decisions, but I truly believe HACC will emerge in a stronger position when we align our operating model to today’s reality. We have a responsibility to start making these changes now so HACC can continue to effectively serve students and communities for years to come.”
 
“On behalf of the Board, we expect the College to make the necessary, hard decisions, today, to ensure the College remains grounded in student success,” added Tom Richey, chair of HACC’s Board of Trustees.