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TCSG Enrollment Hits Record High in FY 2009
System grows by 7% over previous year
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Atlanta - The Technical College System of Georgia set a new record high in annual enrollment in Fiscal Year 2009, growing by 7% over the previous year.
The TCSG enrolled 156,271 students in the year that ended June 30, an increase of 10,281 students.
Almost 60% of that increase was among students ages 26 and above, a reflection that many of the new students are laid-off or under-employed workers who are turning to the TCSG’s affordable programs to learn new skills that are still in demand despite the downturn in the economy.
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“The enrollment increase at our TCSG colleges has been phenomenal,” said Commissioner Ron Jackson. “Students of all ages are seeing the excellent value in a TCSG education and, more important, they know that our colleges produce that kind of results that lead to good careers and rewarding jobs, even in this tough economy.”
The strong upward trend in enrollment has continued into the new Fiscal Year 2010 with the just-started summer quarter, which is showing a 16% enrollment increase over the same time last year. With 18 of the 28 TCSG colleges reporting summer increases of more than 20%, this is certain to be the TCSG’s largest summer quarter ever.
Altamaha Technical College experienced a double-digit enrollment spring quarter
and summer quarter numbers are looking even better. With dual enrollment programs just beginning and an additional Commercial Truck Driving program slated to start August 31st, the numbers may reflect the college’s largest quarter enrollment to date.
“The 19% growth we experienced spring quarter is reflective of today’s economy. People are recognizing the value of technical education and the impact it can have on an individual, both personally and professionally,” stated President Lorette M. Hoover.
“When the economy slows down, many people return to college in improve their educational skills either for their current job or for a new career”.
More than one-third of the system’s enrollment in FY09 was in degree, diploma and certificate of credit programs in the healthcare technology fields. The system reached an all-time high of 56,047 healthcare students who are studying and getting hands-on experience in popular programs like practical nursing, medical assisting, dental assisting, pharmacy technology, surgical technology and healthcare assistant.
The TCSG’s online college, the Georgia Virtual Technical College, also had a record year, enrolling 58,472 students in online courses in FY09, which was 22% more than in FY08.
TCSG students enjoy easy access to college courses - which, depending on the program, can be completed in between six months and two years – along with high job placement rates. Just as important, the combined tuition and fees, which averages $2,052 annually, is among the lowest in the southeast.
Better still, the actual out-of-pocket expense for a TCSG student is usually much less, since Georgia’s HOPE grant and the federal Pell grant will pay for a large portion of a TCSG education.
TCSG colleges offer more than 600 programs that lead to certificates of credit, diplomas and associate degrees.
For more information about the programs and services offered at Altamaha Technical College please call 800-645-8284 or visit the website at http://www.altamahatech.edu/.
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