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Tuition hikes Federal Direct Loan Let us know what you 6 percent Program starts 2008-09 think of the increase NEWS 2 NEWS 3 OPINION 12 PAGE 2 NEWS April 9, 2008 Mercyhurst tuition crosses $30,000 mark Administrators say ’Hurst endowment not large enough to cover costs see an increase in tuition costs. By Joshua Wilwohl Dr. Scott Friedhoff, vice presi- Editor-in-chief dent for enrollment and com- munication at Allegheny College, Students will need to delve said the school’s tuition, including deeper into their pockets to pay room-board, and comprehensive for next year’s tuition. fees, will increase 6.67 percent to A hike of 6 percent will $40,000 for 2008-09. bump the current main campus Of the 16, according to Kelsey, resident price tag of $29,691 to Mercyhurst ranks in the bottom $31,482. four for tuition increase. The commuter bill for main “We want to maintain being campus will increase from a low-cost intuition,” she said. $21,891 to $23,286. “But, we need a bare minimum Mercyhurst College Vice Pres- with education and utilities.” ident of Finance Jane Kelsey said Kelsey said Mercyhurst does the increase is necessary because not get state funding since it’s the school relies heavily on stu- a private institution, but it does dent tuition for revenue. obtain grants that help pay costs “We need to pay for science at the college. lab renovations…and keep the “Grants and contracts are a faculty at the college,” she said. way through research opportu- Kelsey said Mercyhurst does nities that you’re able to fund a not have a large endowment, teaching position or other proj- Scoot Williams photo such as Harvard University, ects,” she said. Sophomore Jillian Miller obtains advice about her tuition bill for next year in the college’s which is able to cover most costs Students said they want to see fi nancial aid offi ce. such as construction. tuition level off. Kelsey said Mercyhurst’s Sophomore Elizabeth Gallea “We don’t blindly give budget 2008-09 school year. shrinking and we’re taking a endowment is currently $28 mil- said updating the college is good, managers the task to increase This program, according to harder look at families.” lion, an increase from $22 million but there’s a point where a tuition tuition,” she said. “We start in Kelsey, is the best option for Kelsey said students who just a few years ago. Harvard’s is increase is too much. the fall of each year and look at students with loans. are having trouble paying $25.9 billion, according to the “It’s always good to continue College Board to see what the “We’re watching closely on their tuition bill should con- university’s Web site. updating facilities, but they just state is doing with tuition.” what lenders are backing out,” tact the fi nancial aid offi ce at “Twenty-eight million is small,” increased it last year,” she said. College Board is a Web site for she said. “Alternative loans are (814) 824-2278. she said. “This is because we’re a “You’re going to get to a point students, parents and profession- relatively young institution…and where future students don’t want als that provides an in-depth look we don’t have the endowment to come because it’s too high.” at a college or university. to cover (certain) costs or offset Junior Amber Cerzantez said Kelsey said the college does Police log fi nancial aid.” if the college is going to increase not take the tuition increase Kelsey said a tuition increase tuition, it should spend the lightly. Controlled Substance Criminal Mischief of 6 percent is normal, noting money wisely. “I know there are families that 3807 Lewis Lewis Avenue that the college has bumped “It seems that they have a lot see this as a signifi cant increase March 26 March 29 tuition an average of 6 percent of money, but they use it in areas and we do understand that,” she College discipline Closed over the past 18 years. they shouldn’t and that could be said. “We’re always looking for In the 2004-05 academic year, used in other areas,” she said. ways to increase tuition as little Liquor Law Violation Larceny/Theft resident tuition was $24,891 and “I’ve heard they rent out fl ow- as we have to.” 3907 Lewis Old Main commuter tuition was $18,093. ers, etc. for big events, but they Sophomore Kyle Hart said March 29 April 1 She did not know the national could use that money to build an tuition is becoming costly. Closed Pending investigation average for tuition increases and athletic fi eld or something.” “When will it stop?” he asked. said that fi gure is not calculated Kelsey said the college does “That’s what I want to know.” Larceny/Theft until later in the year. not simply decide to increase Kelsey said to help decrease East Duval Kelsey said, however, that 16 tuition, but takes into account the stress of college costs, Mer- April 3 other private colleges in the area, factors before making the deci- cyhurst is implementing a federal Pending investigation including Allegheny College, will sion. direct lending program in the PAGE 2 NEWS April 9, 2008 April 9, 2008 NEWS PAGE 3 Mercyhurst tuition crosses $30,000 mark Mercyhurst gets ‘direct’ with lending Administrators say ’Hurst endowment not large enough to cover costs College moves to Federal Direct Loan Program to benefi t students see an increase in tuition costs. By Joshua Wilwohl Dr. Scott Friedhoff, vice presi- “This transition will be so Bialk said that most students side sources, giving Mercyhurst to keep students informed and Editor-in-chief By Casey Greene simple the change will not are not affected by this, but control over lending. provide multiple lines of com- dent for enrollment and com- Managing editor munication at Allegheny College, inconvenience the students in around 12 currently face issues “Students will now have a munication about the transition Students will need to delve said the school’s tuition, including any way,” Bialk said. paying for their spring term single source,” said Bialk. “This to FDL. deeper into their pockets to pay room-board, and comprehensive Mercyhurst College will Bialk said Mercyhurst decided classes. makes the process very simple An e-newsletter will be sent to for next year’s tuition. fees, will increase 6.67 percent to launch a program next year that to move to the Federal Direct “We are working with these and easy for students.” parents and students will receive A hike of 6 percent will $40,000 for 2008-09. will make sure students aren’t Lending Program because of students on an individual basis,” Bialk said the FDL will ben- an e-mail or letter with similar bump the current main campus Of the 16, according to Kelsey, left a-loan. the instability of the lending Bialk said. “We are reaching out efi t students who utilize loans. information. resident price tag of $29,691 to Mercyhurst ranks in the bottom Mercyhurst is currently market. to these students to help them “We will now have the ability Information will also be $31,482. four for tuition increase. making the transition to the “There is such uncertainty with their fi nancial needs.” to help students directly,” she included in students’ fi nancial The commuter bill for main “We want to maintain being William D. Ford Federal Direct in the market,” Bialk said. “We Bialk said this will be the case, said. “If students are having aid award letters, which are campus will increase from a low-cost intuition,” she said. Loan Program (FDL), which don’t want to put students because Mercyhurst will have trouble with their loans we will scheduled to be sent to upper- $21,891 to $23,286. “But, we need a bare minimum will take full effect beginning in through that, and we want to full control and will be com- be able to fi x things immedi- classmen in early June. Mercyhurst College Vice Pres- with education and utilities.” the 2008-09 academic year. make sure funding is avail- municating directly with the U.S. ately.” A Web site has been created ident of Finance Jane Kelsey said Kelsey said Mercyhurst does FDL allows students and able.” Department of Education. Bialk said the eligibility to ease any concerns students the increase is necessary because not get state funding since it’s parents to apply online for fed- Previously, students took loans “This will be a more secure requirements of the Federal or parents may have. Bialk said the school relies heavily on stu- a private institution, but it does eral student loans using a single through the Federal Family Edu- and simple system,” said Bialk. Direct Loan Program are the students should be directed to dent tuition for revenue. obtain grants that help pay costs source. cational Loan Program (FFELP) “FDL will have fewer issues. same as the requirements for go to fi naid.mercyhurst.edu and “We need to pay for science at the college. With the instability of the lenders, a program that uses mul- Problems will be picked up FFELP loans and FDL provides click on “Types of Financial lab renovations…and keep the “Grants and contracts are a lending market, students rely- tiple independent lenders. sooner rather than being lost in students with favorable repay- Aid,” then “Loans.” faculty at the college,” she said. way through research opportu- ing on loans to pay tuition costs Bialk said more than 40 lend- the shuffl e.” ment choices and, in some cases, “I’m very excited about this,” Kelsey said Mercyhurst does nities that you’re able to fund a could be feeling nervous.

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