JCU EDUCATION NOW POSSIBLE FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

John Carroll is welcoming 124 of its 729 incoming freshmen to campus this fall as part of its new Ohio Access Initiative.

In February, the university announced changes to its financial-aid strategy to make a quality college education more affordable. The initiative makes it possible for qualified Ohio families with annual incomes below $40,000 to enroll their incoming freshman tuition-free, effective for the academic year 2007-2008.
Current tuition, room, and board fees total $33,000 at John Carroll.

The students must meet the university’s high academic standards and all other necessary admission requirements.

This year’s group of students – who actually have higher average GPAs than the overall JCU incoming freshman class -- hails from 18 counties in Ohio. Fifty-eight percent are from Cuyahoga County and are from predominantly suburban homes. “And 59 percent are white, non-Hispanic students, dispelling a common stereotype of race and income in our community,” says Brian G. Williams, John Carroll University vice president for enrollment.

 “We need to address the needs of the region, make a John Carroll education more affordable, and shape young people of character who will lead and serve,” says JCU President, Rev. Robert L. Niehoff, S.J. “John Carroll must continue to be a campus that is conscious of the demographic, economic and social challenges in Ohio. We cannot espouse these ideals in the classroom without first also confronting the challenges that income and affordability play in the lives of our students,” adds Fr. Niehoff.

In keeping with the university’s mission, students receiving this assistance from John Carroll are expected to participate in community service projects sponsored through the university’s Center for Service and Social Action.

The John Carroll Commitment
“Nationally, students from low-income families tend to rule out private education as a viable option very early in their college selection process,” Williams adds. “This new commitment will allow us to help families get beyond sticker shock in their planning process and see the possibility and the promise of a John Carroll education in a very compelling way.”

After factoring in federal and state aid that is available to low-income students, this new initiative translates to an average JCU scholarship/grant commitment of nearly $20,000 per year for each qualifying student. This financial assistance opportunity is renewable each year.

In order to support the classroom and service experiences for these students, John Carroll expects to enroll no more than 200 students in the freshmen class under this aid initiative. Interested students should apply for admission and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than February 1st in order to receive full consideration.

Visit: www.jcu.edu/admission for more details.