FVCC reports slight decline in fall enrollment

Flathead Valley Community College’s preliminary enrollment numbers show an 8% decrease over last year.

That enrollment loss isn’t as severe as college enrollment across the board in the United States during a year dramatically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a study from Fitch Ratings Group, college enrollment is predicted to be down as much as 20%.

There are approximately 1,200 students enrolled full time for the fall semester at FVCC, compared to 1,306 last year, although numbers are not yet finalized. However, the community college is anticipating its enrollment numbers will continue to grow as late-start classes and a four-week session later in the semester get underway.

Registration for Running Start classes, where high school juniors and seniors can earn college credits before leaving high school, is also ongoing.

FVCC President Jane Karas noted many students have delayed their return to campus while they find their footing amid the pandemic.

“Once people have a better plan in place for how they're going to manage their different challenges, whether it’s teaching their children at home or working several jobs or working in a job where they have to take on extra hours … we’ll start to see an increase in enrollment later this fall and next spring,” Karas said.

She recalled that during the recession of 2008, it took between six months and a year for college enrollment to pick back up. But for now, she considers FVCC better positioned compared to other institutions around the country.

In talking with other community colleges through her work on various educational boards, Karas said other schools are reporting enrollment drops in the neighborhood of 15% to 30%. As colleges around the country begin to report fall enrollment figures, the results are mixed. According to Inside Higher Ed, community colleges around the country are reporting decreases in enrollment ranging from 5% to 30%.

But there are also institutions seeing minimal losses and even growth. For example, Montana State University reported its second-highest enrollment in the university’s history, just 0.81% down from the year prior. However, it is important to note MSU is a four-year college, while FVCC is a two-year school. Forty-one percent of FVCC’s students are over the age of 25 and many of them have to work or care for young children, in addition to taking classes.

“We empathize with all the issues our students are facing. Many of us here working at FVCC are facing similar challenges,” Karas said. “We’ve worked hard to provide additional support.”

In addition to an array of scholarships and financial-aid options, FVCC has also established the COVID-19 Emergency Student Fund to assist currently enrolled students who are experiencing financial hardship by providing funds for basic necessities, food, course materials and more. Approximately 70% of FVCC’s degree-seeking students need some kind of financial assistance. Last year, the FVCC Foundation alone distributed $1 million to help students pursue their educational goals.

“For students who want an education for a job or to transfer or get new skills, we have those possibilities here,” Karas said. “And we have a way to provide support so they can do it successfully.”

Reporter Mackenzie Reiss can be reached at mreiss@dailyinterlake.com or (406) 785-4433.