Tuition increases at Riverland Community College have taken a toll on students, staff and the college itself.

“Since 2000, tuition has more than doubled,” Riverland President Terry Leas said.

In 2000, students paid $67.75 per credit and currently students are paying $149.70 per credit. The primary reason is a reduction in state aid for all public colleges and universities in Minnesota.

“State appropriations haven’t kept pace with inflation,” Leas said.

Leas said the state used to fund about 67 percent of tuition, which left the student to pay the remaining 33 percent. Currently, the state is funding less than 50 percent, and the cost has been directly transferred to the student.

The state has been cutting appropriations because the economy is in a recession, but in times when there is a recession enrollment at community colleges and universities increases. He said enrollment is up about 15 percent.

“It’s a challenge when people are needing and wanting services and resources are shrinking,” Leas said.

Leas said he thinks it’s admirable that students are going to greater lengths to get an education.

“It’s inspiring to see them working a job or two jobs and going to school,” Leas said.

One Riverland student, Amanda Britt, 24, has been working to pay her tuition. She is working toward a medical secretary diploma and a medical receptionist certificate.

“I’ve always had an interest in the medical field,” Britt said.

She currently works part time at Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin as a certified nursing assistant. She said even though the cost of tuition is rising it’s an investment in her future.

“Education is important to me,” Britt said.

She currently receives federal student loans and has done student work study before. She quit the work study position because there was a cap on how many hours she could work and she needed to work more. She said she thinks the community is lucky to have a place where students can get an education at a smaller price.

“It’s definitely a big part of the community,” Britt said.

Another Riverland student and Albert Lean, Brian Mellang, 27, is working toward a degree in automotive technology. He was laid off from his job in Owatonna recently and decided to start at Riverland after that. He said though tuition has been increasing, he understands how important an education is.

“If tuition went up I would have to take out more loans,” Mellang said.

He said he thinks finding a job will be much easier after he completes his studies. After he’s done at Riverland he hopes to find a job in Albert Lea at a small repair shop. He said even though he started college later than some he thinks it will help him appreciate his education more.

Leas said the college is working to help students with scholarships as much as it can. Through the Riverland Foundation about $100,000 in scholarships are given to students each year. Even with the foundation, there are still students who don’t receive scholarships because there are so many applications.

“In the next couple of years we will continue to see reductions to state budgets,” Leas said.

He said the college’s only options are to raise tuition or cut staff positions. Riverland is receiving the same amount of state aid as it had in 2000, when there were only two campuses and many less students.

“Community colleges still offer the best value for higher education,” Leas said.

He said he enjoys working at Riverland because it was nice to see students who have a vision for a better life for themselves and their families.