Ivy Tech Launches Ivy+: Bending The Curve On The Cost Of College

In addition to home ownership, one of the biggest investments Americans make is the cost of college.

In addition to home ownership, one of the biggest investments Americans make is the cost of college. People are either trying to pay college for their children or they are trying to go to college themselves. It is at the core of why many question the worth of a college degree. When calculating the cost of tuition and fees, as well as textbooks and living expenses, college can simply be expensive.

There are many ways families can reduce college expenses. Submitting the FAFSA or Free State Student Aid Application to determine if a student qualifies for state or federal grant is one option. Applying for scholarships is another. Students might even consider living in a home with a parent or guardian.

But even if students are eligible for financial assistance, other needs like food, transportation, and housing may be paramount, and research shows that more than 65 percent of college students skip purchasing course materials, including textbooks, to save money .

To overcome this financial obstacle and ensure that Hoosiers can afford post-secondary education, Ivy Tech Community College has maintained its low-cost study model. This year, with financial support from the Indiana General Assembly, we are pleased to announce that Ivy Tech is freezing tuition fees for the next two years. This means that the tuition fees for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years will remain in place with no unexpected increases.

In addition, starting this fall semester, Ivy Tech will pay for the student textbooks for at least the next academic year and invest nearly $ 25 million to cover the cost of the required textbooks. This investment will save students hundreds of dollars each year and most importantly, will ensure they have the materials they need to succeed on day one.

We didn’t stop there. We also know that full-time students, who make up around 25 percent of our student body, have to complete 30 hours per week in a semester to qualify as “finished on time” for a two-year course. Ivy Tech will ensure that no full-time student pays more than $ 4,500 a year for as many credit hours as they would like. If a full-time student fails to take 15 credit hours in a semester, Ivy Tech allows them to take up to six credit hours for free on a Summer Flex Scholarship to achieve the required 30 credit hours. This will help students gain eligibility for government financial aid and qualify for more aid funding.

You may think this sounds too good to be true. We can assure you – it’s true! With our new Ivy + approach to teaching and books, these student-centered initiatives reaffirm that Ivy Tech is committed to being your community college and removing barriers to student success and graduation. Our goal is for Hoosiers to successfully earn a post-secondary degree that either introduces them directly to a high-paying and sought-after career, or allows them a seamless transition to a four-year college where they can complete their bachelor’s degree and beyond. With Ivy +, we’re investing in a better, more affordable future for Hoosiers.

source https://collegeeducationnewsllc.com/ivy-tech-launches-ivy-bending-the-curve-on-the-cost-of-college/