By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Technical college tuition to go up starting this fall
Placeholder Image

ATLANTA—The state board that oversees the Technical College System of Georgia has approved the system’s request for a tuition increase of $4 per credit hour starting with the upcoming fall semester.

The board voted unanimously to accept the increase during their May 1 monthly meeting at the TCSG’s Atlanta office.
When the increase goes into effect, students at the 24 TCSG colleges will pay $89 per credit hour in a standard program. The average tuition for a full, 15-hour course load in the fall will cost $1,335, plus books and fees.

TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson told the board members that the system has done all that it can to hold down enrollment costs but that operational expenses, including those for cutting-edge technology programs, keep rising. 

“Georgia’s technical colleges still offer great value for the students that we serve, and our programs result in high job placement rates for our graduates,” he said. “TCSG tuition, even with the increase, remains relatively low compared to other states. Still, we understand the concerns of that our students and their families may have regarding any additional cost. Our college presidents and their staff are committed to continuing to help their students obtain the financial help that they deserve, including some valuable new assistance from the state.”

Last year, almost 82,000 of the 151,000 students who enrolled in the TCSG colleges were HOPE recipients, with the vast majority using the HOPE Grant. Even with the latest increase, students who qualify for the HOPE Grant will have about 73 percent of their tuition funded, leaving them responsible for paying only the smaller portion.  And thousands of TCSG students will benefit from three new types of tuition assistance that Georgia will add this year.

Starting in the fall, the new Zell Miller HOPE Grant will pay 100 percent of tuition for students who enroll in certificate and diploma programs and maintain a 3.5 grade point average or better. It is estimated that the Zell Miller Grant will benefit at least 16,000 TCSG students.

Effingham School Board Approves $203M budget with Potential Property Tax Increase
2026 budget
This chart illustrates how the Effingham County School District’s $203 million general fund is allocated for fiscal year 2026, including spending on salaries, benefits, transportation, health services, and safety and security. (Courtesy of Effingham School District)
The Effingham County Board of Education approved a $203 million fiscal year 2026 budget Thursday night, reflecting an 11% increase over last year. The rise is largely due to an $8 million spike in health and retirement benefit costs for employees. To help cover the shortfall, the district may raise the property tax millage rate, potentially increasing homeowners’ taxes by up to 12 percent.
Keep reading for free
Enter your email address to continue reading.