Henry Ford Community College Implements Tuition Amnesty Program

Henry Ford Community College is offering a one-month amnesty program for students who are in default of their payments and cannot register for classes for the 2013-2014 academic year.

The amnesty period runs from June 15 through Aug. 14, and gives previous and current students a 50 percent break on their unpaid balance. Students are eligible for the amnesty program if their accounts are from the spring 2012 semester and older. 

The amnesty program applies to any prior HFCC debt, including tuition, bookstore purchases, library fines and lab and usage fees.

According to the Dearborn Press and Guide, the college has several million dollars in uncollected student debt. Officials estimate as many as 30,000 students have past due balances; of those, between 5,000 and 8,000 owe the college more than $1,000.

HFCC President Stan Jensen said students considered "in default" are not able to enroll in classes, receive their diplomas, or request a copy of their transcript, unless they have paid off their debt. Jensen said he hopes that an opportunity to allow students to clear up their debt will encourage more enrollment at HFCC beginning this fall.

The college is facing a $16.5 million deficit for the 2014 fiscal year, which begins July 1. In recent weeks, the college has taken steps to close the deficit to $6 million through a combination of tuition increases, staff layoffs, and cuts to programs. The HFCC Center for Lifelong Learning, whose teachers provide adult education enrichment classes, announced that is closing its doors on July 1.

To inquire about eligibility for the amnesty program, call the HFCC Registration and Records Office at 313-845-6403.