Even though Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) has expanded opportunities for students, full-time enrollment continues to decline, resulting in less money from the state.
This year, the state gave AACC $9.1 million toward the school's $35.9 million operating budget, about $137,000 less than last year.
The state's contribution is based on the number of full-time equivalent students the college had two years earlier. Every 15 credits taken by one student or a group of students equals one full-time equivalent.
For the college, the enrollment decline will translate into less money in the future.
"We can expect that we will see declining state funding," said Dr. Barbara Houchen, director of the college's planning and research office.
The college's full-time spring enrollment this year was 13 percent less than in the spring of 1993, and the current enrollment of 2,623 is the lowest in more than five years.
Enrollment dropped 4 percent from spring 1993 to spring 1994, and another 9.4 percent this year, to 2,623 from 2,896.
Fall enrollment figures have declined similarly.
Full-time enrollment dropped 5.5 percent in 1994, to 3,080 from 3,260. In 1993, it dropped 4.1 percent.
The college's part-time enrollment figures fluctuate from year to year, leading some college officials to think that some full-time students are taking fewer classes, making them part-time.
Dr. Houchen said the decline is a result of tuition increases, smaller graduating high school classes, and an improving economy.
"Over the last three years, we've raised tuition $14 per credit hour. That certainly had an impact on what people can afford," Dr. Houchen said. The college charges $58 per credit hour.
Augustine Pounds, vice president for student services, said money doesn't have to hold students back.
Many students who may be eligible for grants and scholarship programs don't apply because they think they don't qualify based on need, she said.
"I think students all over work on the assumption that financial aid is for the students who are most in need," said Dr. Pounds. "We're trying to get the message out to them to come and apply and let us determine what they're eligible for. We will try to match their need with what is available."
Dr. Houchen said the decline has been among students under age 24, with 11.3 percent of 22- to 24-year-old students dropping from the full-time rolls. She attributed that decline to an improving economy and more job opportunities for young adults.
She said she could not specify any other reasons for the shrinking enrollment but noted that it is a statewide trend.
At most Maryland community colleges, credit enrollment and full-time equivalent enrollment declined this semester.
With the exception of Catonsville Community College, which gained 0.5 percent, schools with more than 5,500 students lost up to 5 percent of their total enrollment and 6 percent of their full-time equivalent enrollment this year.
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Community college enrollment
College -- Anne Arundel
Full-time and part-time credit enrollment -- 11,389
% change 1994-1995 -- -0.5
State-funded full-time equivalents -- 2,537
% change 1994-1995 -- -4
College -- Baltimore (on campus only)
Full-time and part-time credit enrollment -- 5,889
% change 1994-1995 -- -4
State-funded full-time equivalents -- 1,751
% change 1994-1995 -- -4
College -- * Catonsville
Full-time and part-time credit enrollment -- 9,400
% change 1994-1995 -- +0.5
State-funded full-time equivalents -- 2,230
% change 1994-1995 -- -.1
College -- * Essex
Full-time and part-time credit enrollment -- 8,950
% change 1994-1995 -- -5
State-funded full-time equivalents -- 2,145
% change 1994-1995 -- -6
@College -- Montgomery
Full-time and part-time credit enrollment -- 20,345
% change 1994-1995 -- -4
State-funded full-time equivalents -- 4,808
% change 1994-1995 -- -5.5
College -- Prince George's
Full-time and part-time credit enrollment -- 11,023
% change 1994-1995 -- -2
State-funded full-time equivalents -- 2,563
% change 1994-1995 -- -4
* -- Unofficial
Source: Telephone survey conducted by Anne Arundel Community College the week of Feb. 13, 1995.