College Tuition Discount Opportunities

The fact that more than 40 million former college students are deep in debt – averaging about $37,000 each – is well publicized.  But this does not need to be the future of high school students seeking to choose a college for the next step of their academic journey.  The key is to do careful research ahead of time, and identify the affordable options available, in order to make a wise financial decision. 

Drexel University, based in Philadelphia, PA, has recently announced a 50% tuition discount for students who have earned an associate’s degree from a community college in Pennsylvania or New Jersey.  Drexel’s current tuition is $56,595.  The tuition break goes into effect in 2023, and students would have to maintain a GPA of 2.0.

 

Closer to home, Rutgers University reports that 71% of first-year students receive financial aid offers ranging from $500 to $65,000.  As of last year, Rutgers instituted an income-based tuition discount program.  Students from families with annual incomes of $65,000 or less are not charged for tuition or fees.  Families in the next income bracket, earning up to $80,000, pay no more than $3,000 a year. Families earning up to $100,000 pay no more than $5,000.  This program does not cover room and board, but provides an attractive option for students willing to commute to one of Rutgers’ campuses in New Brunswick, Newark or Camden.

Many private colleges are generous with need-based aid and merit scholarships, although the latter is frequently based on a student’s SAT scores and GPA. Fairfield University, located in Connecticut, reports that 37% of full-time undergraduates receive an average award of $32,770.

 

Quinnipiac University, also in Connecticut, awards renewable first-year academic scholarships in the range of 12,000 to $28,000.  Students offered these scholarships are typically in the top 40% of their high school class and have a combined (Math and Evidence-based Reading & Writing) SAT score of 1100 or higher.

 

There are even some colleges that are tuition-free, but students should read the fine print before enrolling.  Some of these schools require on-campus work, or service after graduation. So, students should be sure to know what they’re agreeing to.  Tuition-free colleges include College of the Ozarks (MO), Curtis Institute of Music (PA), Webb Institute (NY), United States Air Force Academy (CO), United States Coast Guard Academy (CT), United States Merchant Marine Academy (NY), United States Military Academy (NY), and the United States Naval Academy (MD). 

Susan Alaimo is the founder and director of Collegebound Review that, for the past 25 years, has offered PSAT/SAT® preparation and private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362