The courses of instruction shall embrace such branches of practical and theoretical knowledge as will, in the opinion of the board, promote the objects of the college. The college shall be open to all students resident of this state and to all other students under such regulations and restrictions as the board of control may prescribe in accordance with the laws. The board may require tuition and fees of all students and fix the amount thereof. Reasonable charges shall be made against any student for incidental expenses and use of laboratories and apparatus and for all material consumed; but the board shall not be obliged to furnish books, apparatus or other materials for the use of students. As to all charges mentioned in this section, the board shall have the power to remit the same in whole or in part in the case of deserving and needy students who are bona fide residents of Michigan by establishing scholarships or otherwise. If the United States congress shall pass any act for assistance toward the support of the institution to be dependent on the institution being free to all citizens of the United States, the board of control shall have the power to declare the institution to be free, in accordance with such act of congress, and such declaration shall have the same force and effect as if the same were made by an act of the legislature of this state. The board shall have power to provide, under such rules and regulations as they shall prescribe, for such short courses of instruction as may be helpful to students who are not candidates for a degree, and may prescribe reasonable fees for the same.