Prior to students arriving for classes at Lone Star College System on Aug. 26, tuition rates have been increased for the coming academic year. The tuition rate increase was initially approved March 7, raising the general credit tuition from $44 to $49 per credit hour, out-of-district fee from $95 to $105 per credit hour and out-of-state/international fee from $130 to $160 per credit hour. The raise will provide about $8.3 million in revenue for the system, officials said. The tuition raise increase was part of the budget approved at LSCS's Aug. 1 meeting. Bill Van Rysdam, LSCS manager of media relations, said tuition and fees support the college's operations budget, which includes the instructional cost of programs and student services such as salaries for instructors and the direct cost of program delivery and student success. "Thanks to this funding, LSC was able to award 8,255 associate degrees and certificates to eligible students who took part in commencement ceremonies this past spring," Van Rysdam said. The LSCS tuition rate is reviewed annually, and Van Rysdam said this is the first increase since 2016. For the fiscal year 2019-20 proposed budget, student tuition and fees make up 27% of LSCS's revenue. Local taxes make up 42% of revenue; state funding makes up 20%; out-of-district, state and international students make up 6% and miscellaneous sources make up 5%. The LSCS board of trustees will hold public hearings regarding the proposed tax rate Sept. 17 and 25 before adopting it Oct. 5. Editor's note: This story was updated to include the correct percentage of total LSCS revenue made up of local tax revenue.