The Southeast Community College Board of Governors voted 6-4 Tuesday to increase tuition and fees by $4.50 per quarter credit hour for the upcoming 2017-18 academic year.

Board member Don Reiman left the meeting prior to the discussion about tuition and fees, leaving 10 members to vote.

The increase means Nebraska residents will pay $67.50 per quarter credit hour. If a student takes 45 quarter credit hours over the span of four quarters (one year), they will pay $3,037.50. Non-resident students will pay $79.50 per credit hour in tuition and $2 in fees for a total of $81.50 per hour.

The increase for 2017-18 still keeps SCC as one of the most affordable community college options in Nebraska.

After much discussion on the issue of tuition and fee rates the Board settled on an increase that is expected to generate about $1.5 million in revenue.

Slight increases to room and board rates for the Beatrice and Milford campuses also were approved.