Lake Land Approves New Tuition Waivers for Adult Learners and Local Businesses

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | September, 2025

Article Summary: To attract more non-traditional students, the Lake Land College Board of Trustees approved a plan to offer up to 100 three-credit-hour tuition waivers for the 2026 school year. The program targets students over 21 who have not recently attended the college and aims to help local businesses upskill their workforce.

Non-Traditional Student Outreach Key Points:

• The board approved offering 100 three-credit-hour tuition waivers for the Spring, Summer, and Fall 2026 terms.

• Waivers are for students over 21 who live or work in the district and have not attended Lake Land in the past year.

• The program is designed to reduce financial barriers and support local workforce development.

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees on Monday, September 8, 2025, authorized a new initiative to boost adult enrollment by approving up to 100 three-credit-hour tuition waivers for non-traditional students. The program will be active for the Spring, Summer, and Fall 2026 terms.

The waivers are available to students over the age of 21 who either live or are employed within the college district and have not attended Lake Land in the previous year. Heather Nohren, Vice President for Student Services, requested the board’s approval, highlighting the program’s success on a smaller scale in 2025.

In a memo, Pam Hartke, Associate Dean of Recruitment and Enrollment Management, said the program helps “encourage individuals with financial barriers to get one step closer to becoming a student with us.” She noted that many local businesses have inquired about educational incentives for their employees. These waivers can be offered to those businesses to help educate the local workforce.

The initiative aligns with the college’s strategic focus of “Education that Fits your Life.” Hartke stated, “We are reducing barriers for adults interested in starting or continuing their education and we are collaborating with our local businesses to help educate our local workforce.”