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Date: Sept. 22, 2006
RIPON, Wis. – For the lowest-income families, the very notion of a private education for their sons and daughters seems hopelessly out of reach. Ripon College hopes to change that with the Access Ripon College (ARC) program, a means by which talented low-income students can receive a nationally recognized, liberal arts and sciences education without taking out loans.
Through a combination of grants and workstudy aid, the ARC program secures the resources necessary to cover tuition, fees, room and board for four years to students who qualify. A growing number of institutions offer some form of free tuition, including Harvard University, Princeton University, Columbia University, and the University of Pennsylvania. Several states have also initiated free-tuition programs, though the ARC program is the first of its kind in Wisconsin.
“Character and excellence, not economic background, are what matters to us,” said Steve Schuetz, Ripon College’s vice president of Admission and Financial Aid. “The more we can do to mitigate financial concerns for all students, the easier it is for them to focus on preparing for college knowing it is possible.”
To qualify for ARC, students must apply for aid using the Free Application for Federal Student aid by March 1 and meet the following requirements:
• Accepted to Ripon College (www.ripon.edu/admission)
• First-time, first-year, first-generation student
• Enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program
• Eligible for a Federal Pell Grant
• Dependent on his/her parents or legal guardian
• Meet citizenship requirements and other eligibility standards for federal financial-aid programs
• Prove family income at or below the federal poverty level ($20,000 in 2006)
Eligible students should call (800) 947-4766 or (920) 748-8337 for program details.
“A commitment to diversity means a commitment to accessibility, said Dr. David Joyce, president of Ripon College. “The ARC program makes private education a viable option for some students who might not otherwise have considered it.”
About Ripon College
Ripon College, founded in 1851, prepares students of diverse interests for lives of productive, socially responsible citizenship. Ripon’s liberal arts curriculum and residential campus create an intimate learning community in which students experience a richly personalized education. Ripon has been recognized as a “best value” by The Princeton Review and among the 160 best schools in the nation by Colleges of Distinction. For more information about Ripon College, visit www.ripon.edu.
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