Community college students implore state lawmakers to keep their schools affordable - Joe Burris, Baltimore Sun

Community colleges — as well as four-year schools in the University System of Maryland — are already facing cuts recommended by former Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, before he left office. The budget proposed by Gov. Larry Hogan, his Republican successor, suggests next year will be leaner still. The administration says future spending on community colleges will be capped rather than based on per-pupil spending mandates. The average annual tuition for full-time public community college students in the state is $3,221, according to the Maryland Association for Community Colleges. Should the anticipated budget cuts materialize, the group says, the figure would increase by $178. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/bs-md-student-advocacy-day-20150211-story.html