2025-2026 Catalog

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Student Expenses

McDowell Technical Community College receives financial support from local, state and federal sources, allowing educational opportunities at a minimum cost. Tuition fees are set by the State Board of Community Colleges and are subject to change without notice. Cost of textbooks and supplies are additional expenses which vary according to the program of study. The payment of tuition and all required fees must be made at the time of registration unless deferred payment arrangements have been made with the Business Office.

Students are not officially registered until tuition payment and fees have been received in the Business Office or deferred by Financial Aid or a payment plan has been established with NelNet through the student’s Self-Service portal.

The following information applies to students enrolled in curriculum programs (technical, vocational, college transfer and general education). For information on Continuing Education fees, see the appropriate section of this catalog.

 

TUITION (In-State)

$76.00 per credit hour, up to a maximum tuition charge of $1,216.00 per semester.

(16 or more credit hours = $1,216.00)

 

TUITION (Out-of-State)

Any student whose legal residence is outside the State of North Carolina, or in the case of students who are boarding or living with relatives in the community, whose parents or guardians are living outside the State, shall pay tuition fees as follows:

$268.00 per semester credit hour, up to 16 credit hours; maximum tuition charge of $4,288.00 per semester.

 

Past Due Accounts

Students may not register for a semester, receive transcripts (unless MTCC tuition and fees were paid with Title IV (federal financial aid) funds) or participate in graduation until deferred or past due charges are paid in the Business Office.

Residency Status for Tuition Purposes

Under North Carolina law, persons must qualify as state residents for a tuition rate lower than that for non-residents.

Residency Determination Service

All individuals applying to MTCC will be required to complete the online residency determination prior to applying to the college. It is recommended that applicants complete the residency determination well in advance of the semester they wish to start. Upon completion of the residency determination, students will be issued a Residency Certification Number (RCN) which will be utilized at all colleges in NC.

MTCC will continue to work with students who have business sponsorships, are using military benefits or other exceptions allowed by the state. All other residency determinations will be made by CFI and not MTCC.

The Residency Determination Service will provide separate processes to reach a residency classification. Most students will only be required to complete the Initial Consideration process. The Reconsideration and Appeal processes are for those students who experience a change in circumstances (Reconsideration) or who have not had a change in status and believe their residency classification is incorrect (appeal).

All students, parents, faculty, staff, and constituents of the North Carolina Community College System should refer to the Residency website at www.ncresidency.org for more current details regarding the North Carolina Residency Determination Service, processes and required residency guidelines.

Tuition Exemptions

College tuition exemptions are as follows:

  • Current high school students taking courses at community colleges.
  • Some students enrolled in the BLET training program.
  • Any person who is the survivor of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, volunteer firefighter, or rescue squad worker killed as a direct result of traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty may be eligible for a tuition waiver.
  • Any spouse or children (ages 17 to 22) of law enforcement officers, firefighters, volunteer firefighters, or rescue squad workers who are permanently and totally disabled as a result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty may be eligible for waiver of tuition.

Estimated Fees

  • Activity Fee - All curriculum students are required to pay the Student Government Activity Fee. The established fee is $25.00 per semester. This fee is not refundable.
  • Student Insurance Fee - In order that every student may be covered by insurance in case of an accident, institutional policy requires that each student enroll in the accident insurance program at registration. The established fee is $1.30 per semester. This fee is not refundable.
  • Liability Insurance - Students enrolled in Practical Nursing Education, associate degree Nursing, Nurse Aide, Teacher Associate, Cosmetology, Nail Technology, Health Information Technology, Phlebotomy and Early Childhood Associate are required to purchase professional liability insurance coverage. The cost of liability insurance is $14.50 per year. This fee is not refundable.
  • Technology Fee - In order to offset the cost of copies, toner, state-of-the-art computer labs, and other technology made available to students, a fee of $25.00 per semester is charged to each student at the time of registration. This fee is not refundable.
  • Identification Badge - All curriculum students are required to purchase a picture identification badge to be on his/her person at all times while on the campus grounds for a fee of $5.00 for the academic year. This fee is not refundable.
  • Campus Access Parking and Security Fee (CAPS) - Parking facilities are available for students, visitors, staff and faculty. All Curriculum students are required to pay a $25.00 per semester CAPS fee. CAPS fee receipts are utilized for student parking, campus security costs, including but not limited to, salaries, related benefits and operating costs associated with security personnel; contracted security services; vehicles, equipment and capital improvements necessary to secure college property. This fee is not refundable.

Fees for Special Purposes-Student Success Fee

All curriculum students are required to pay a Student Success Fee of $25.00 per semester. This fee pays for the printed diploma, diploma cover, large mailing envelope, and purchase of a cap/gown/tassel unit. The Student Success Fee funds may also be utilized to pay for services or equipment that will benefit all students. This fee is not refundable.

Educational Testing Fee

Students enrolled in the Practical Nursing Education and Associate Degree Nursing Programs are charged an educational testing fee each semester. There are testing fees for PNE and for ADN students which will be provided at student orientation.

Transcript Copy Fee

Students must request transcripts through the National Student Clearinghouse Transcript Ordering Center at https://tsorder.studentclearinghouse.org/school/select. A $5.00 transcript fee, along with applicable processing charges, will apply for each official transcript ordered.

Additional Expenses

Some curricula require students to purchase additional supplies, equipment and/or uniforms. Students should contact the instructor/advisor in the curriculum they plan to enter.

Textbook Costs

Students are required to purchase the necessary textbooks for courses. Copying of textbooks is not allowed and is a violation of copyright laws in most cases. The average cost ranges from approximately $500 to $800 per semester, depending on the student’s chosen curriculum. Workbooks and certain text materials which are expendable items may be required by some instructors.

eTextbook Access Fee and Opt-Out Information

Some courses at MTCC require the use of digital textbooks (eBooks). A $210 annual fee provides students with access to Cengage Unlimited, a platform offering a wide range of eBooks and course materials.
Students who prefer physical textbooks may choose to opt out of this fee. However, by opting out, students accept full responsibility for obtaining the required materials on their own. Please note:

  • Physical textbooks may need to be purchased from sources other than the MTCC Bookstore.
  • While students can use financial aid to purchase textbooks, MTCC does not disburse financial aid early for purchases made outside the college bookstore.
  • Financial Aid Refunds are not released to students until several weeks into the semester. If deciding to purchase books and materials independent of the MTCC bookstore the student understands that they will pay out of pocket for these items. When the class begins, students are expected to have the correct books and materials to successfully complete the course, and should be ready to meet the assignment deadlines.
  • The opt-out form for Cengage Unlimited eBooks is available on the MTCC Bookstore website.

Continuing Education Fire, Rescue and EMS College Fee

Students attending the McDowell Fire, Rescue and EMS College will be charged a fee of $15.00.

Returned Check Fee

A $25.00 service charge is assessed for each returned check.

Refund Policy

Refunds must be requested. 100% refund before the first day of class, 75% before the 10% point of the semester. No refunds are issued after the 10% point of a term. For information on refunds of textbooks purchased through the MTCC Bookstore, please contact the Bookstore directly.

Proctored Test Fee

Non-MTCC Course proctoring: McDowell Technical Community College offers proctoring services through the UNC Online Proctoring Network and for other colleges and universities as a community service. Proctoring is available in the Testing Center during the hours of operation, when classes are in session. All proctored exams must be completed at least 30 minutes before closing time. There is a charge of $25.00 per test for proctoring services. Proctoring fees may be paid in person in the Business Office. Fees must be paid prior to the testing appointment. Students must bring the receipt of payment to their scheduled proctoring appointment.