Some new Utica University students will be able to attend the college without paying tuition.
Incoming freshmen who are from New York and whose families make no more than $65,000 a year may qualify for the university’s new Pioneer Passport, which covers all four years if students continue to meet the eligibility requirements, President Todd Pfannestiel said at a news conference Thursday. There is no limit on the number of freshmen who may be accepted into the program.
“By closing the tuition gap for a large number of future first-year students, Pioneer Passport fully supports our mission to make higher education an attractive option on everyone’s table,” Pfannestiel said in a statement. “We’re doing this not only because we can, but because it is the right thing to do.”
This isn’t Utica University’s first foray into trying to make a private university education more affordable. The college cut its tuition by 42% in 2016
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Here are more details on the Pioneer Passport
Does Utica University receive any tuition at all for Pioneer Passports students?
Students’ TAP grant, Pell Grant and other benefits are still paid to the university. But UU does not collect any remaining balance for tuition so students have no out-of-pocket expenses for tuition.
Can students who are already enrolled or transfer students apply?
No.
How do incoming students apply?
Students just apply for admission to Utica University and, if accepted, fill out FAFSA and New York State TAP applications.
Does the award have strings attached?
There is no requirement that students remain in New York after graduation (as with the state’s Excelsior Scholarship). And the award has no time limit.
What happens is a student’s family’s income goes up above $65,000 or the student moves out of New York?
The student would no longer be eligible.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Utica University will offer Pioneer Passports to cut tuition costs
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