College Guide 2016

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COLLEGE GUIDE 2016

INSIDE FIGURING OUT FINANCIAL AID: FAFSA CHANGES, GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND LOANS College ProямБles and Stats FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF

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COLLEGE GUIDE 2016

CONTENTS Show Me The Money ............................. CG4 The Process .......................................... CG8 FAFSA Pitfalls ....................................... CG9 More Resources Online ........................CG10 About Loans and Grants ......................CG11 Stretch Your Tuition Dollars ................CG12

EDUCATION INDEX

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AIC College of Design ........................... CG6 Art Academy of Cincinnati .................. CG20 The Athenaeum of Ohio......................... CG6 Bellarmine University ..........................CG16 Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.................CG21

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Eastern Kentucky University ................CG24 Galen College of Nursing .....................CG14 Gateway University ..............................CG13 Good Samaritan College of Nursing and Health Science ........... CG3 Marian University ................................CG11 Morehead State University ....................CG7 Mount St. Joseph University.................CG18 Ohio Dominican University ...................CG12 Otterbein University ........................... CG22 Sinclair Community College ................ CG23 Southern State Community College ...... CG9 Spalding University..............................CG14 St. Ursula Academy .............................. CG2 Thomas More College ..........................CG15 UC Blue Ash College ............................. CG8 Warren County Career Center ..............CG15 Xavier University .................................CG10

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COLLEGE GUIDE 2016

Show Me the Money A beginner’s guide to loans, grants, and scholarships.

By Jennifer Hogan Redmond

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I

f you sent a child off to college in the last few years, you may think you know all about loans, grants, and merit scholarships. Think again. Here’s what you need to understand about imminent FAFSA changes, plus tips and truths from the experts.

DO AN ONLINE SEARCH FOR “PAYING FOR college,” and you’ll find a dizzying array of articles about skyrocketing costs, how to (and how not to) finance, and why college loan debt will be the downfall of humanity.

Calm down.

Planning and common sense help. Here’s how to make the most of aid opportunities and avoid crushing loan debt.

Understand FAFSA Changes The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov establishes eligibility for need-based aid in the form of loans and grants. Eligibility for federal student aid is determined by a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and other criteria, such as year in school, enrollment status, and the cost of attendance (COA). Traditionally available online January 1, the form had families scrambling to make sense of incomplete income information in order to submit it before aid money ran out.

Here’s a big change: FAFSA will now be available on October 1, annually. Moreover, students (and parents, if appropriate) can use income information from an earlier tax year. Thus, families should report 2015 income on the 2017–2018 FAFSA. (Handy reference charts and a fact sheet are available on the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Office website at studentaid.ed.gov. Click on the announcements tab for the latest updates.)

But there’s more! A few years ago, parents and overwhelmed offspring were told to make a pot of coffee and dig in for the long haul because the FAFSA form had the reputation for being long and complicated.

FAFSA has become simpler and “rather intuitive,” says Scott Moffitt, cofounder, president, and CEO of Summit Financial Services. Organized families should be able

to complete it in about an hour. (Online tutorials might trim that down a bit.)

The overall effect of the early filing date is yet unknown. Short-term, families who are not aware of the date change may find themselves unable to make the changes needed to impact their aid eligibility, Moffitt says. And because high schools open in late August, the opportunity to educate families about the quick turnaround is limited. Colleges have a different concern.

They will now have FAFSA information earlier, but all of their data (scholarships, Pell

and other grant allocations, and work-study eligibility) will not yet be complete. Aid packages are unlikely to be determined any earlier, so students may initially receive estimates from schools, notes Dyane Foltz, director of financial aid at Thomas More College.

FAFSA does not have the same impact for graduate students so the changes will affect them differently, says Betsy Johnson, Ph.D., director of student financial aid and scholarships at Bowling Green State University. Assistantships are sought-after among this group, and loans are more prevalent, notes Randy Ulses, director of

scholarships and enrollment at University of Cincinnati. A college senior contemplating graduate school may have a financial aid award package between January and March, helping to determine next steps.

When final financial aid award letters arrive for all students prior to National Decision Day (May 1), it should include every source of financial aid the student is eligible for at each school, Foltz says. Some schools may include additional information such as renewal criteria. If not, ask!

Other Options Look beyond loans to alleviate future financial burden. Here are a few avenues to consider: Co-operative education (co-op) provides students with an opportunity to work in their chosen fields for pay, alternating real-life experience with academic studies. UC’s program, the oldest in the U.S. and ranked among the nation’s best, has expanded beyond engineering and design fields in recent years to include business, communication arts, and other areas. Many colleges now offer this option, which usually lengthens time in school by about a year but allows students to earn significant dollars to cover costs.

Work-study eligibility is determined by FAFSA and provides federally funded parttime jobs (often on campus) to both undergraduate and graduate students. Working part-time, either independently or through a work-study program, helps students better manage their time and, in many cases, make connections on campus, notes Matthew Moore, director of financial aid and scholarships at Sinclair College.

Dual Credit Options, such as College Credit Plus, a post-secondary enrollment option in Ohio, allow students to take college A U G U S T 2 0 1 6 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M C G 5

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COLLEGE GUIDE 2016 courses as early as seventh grade. (Most take courses their junior or senior year in high school.) Grades appear on both high school and college transcripts, and the criteria to be accepted is college-specific, explains BGSU’s Johnson. These options continue to expand.

Community College offers many of the same courses as traditional four-year schools at a fraction of the cost. At $99 a credit hour, “Sinclair College has the lowest tuition in Ohio,” says Moore. “To pick up a year or so of classes and save yourself $15,000– $20,000 is significant,” says Summit Financial’s Moffitt.

Merit Scholarship Reality Merit scholarships—money offered to entice high-achieving students—are often misunderstood. Here’s the real scoop: • Colleges gauge merit eligibility based on GPA, standardized test scores, and less frequently, class rank. Strong application essays, community service, personal in-

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terview, and other factors may also play a part. GPA is a strong indicator of a student’s long-term ability and the most easily controlled by students. As for the SAT and the ACT: Take a class, take the test a couple of times, but don’t overdo it, Moffitt advises.

• Private schools may offer more merit scholarships than public schools, but tuition tends to be higher as well, says Lauren Williams, guidance counselor at St. Ursula Academy. “It’s really important for families to use the net price calculator” each school must provide. (You may have to search the website, but it’s there.)

• “There are certainly people who get full rides, but most don’t,” says UC’s Ulses. Still, students who don’t place in the very top percentage brackets may benefit from scholarship dollars. Some schools offer merit money for a 3.0 GPA and above, notes Moffitt, adding that students need to find schools that fit their academic needs and also offer merit-based aid.

• Opportunity abounds beyond institutional scholarships. “I can’t tell you how many hundreds of merit scholarship applications we get from various corporations, clubs, and organizations,” says SUA’s Williams. Connecting with a guidance counselor will keep students in the know on what’s out there. Anne Weaver, a University of Cincinnati junior majoring in mechanical engineering, garnered scholarship money from varied sources (including a parent’s employer) to pay for an entire year of college. “I treated it as a game,” she said of the process, noting that the best opportunity often comes with smaller scholarships attracting fewer applicants. One caution from BGSU’s Johnson: “Don’t spend more than a postage stamp” on a scholarship application.

• Most merit scholarships are geared toward incoming college freshmen, notes Ulses, but academic departments and outside foundations do provide funds for students more advanced in their career

paths. Watch for opportunities and communicate with advisors. “Scholarship begins as you head into college, but it continues after that,” he says.

Did you know that MSU offers new scholarships for Ohio students?

We have expanded our institutional scholarship program to increase opportunities for out-of-state students.

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COLLEGE GUIDE 2016

THE PROCESS

SAVING FOR COLLEGE SHOULD START THE day your child is born, says Anderson High School counselor Debbie McDaniel. But life happens, and many families seek help too late. With FAFSA changes this year, “Timelines are tough to give,” says BGSU’s Betsy Johnson. Most experts agree on the following:

Freshman year of high school: Discuss career goals. Is a bachelor’s degree necessary? Perhaps vocational training or a twoyear associate’s degree makes more sense.

If college is in the future, “identify if needbased financial aid is a consideration and employ tax strategies now, if applicable,”

says Summit Financial’s Scott Moffitt. Engage your son or daughter in all discussions, urges SUA’s Lauren Williams.

Sophomore year: Identify schools that statistically graduate students in four years “to drive down the cost of the overall education,” Moffitt says.

Junior year: Visit campuses. Plan preliminary timelines of each school’s scholarship and financial aid deadline. “Do it based on last year’s deadline,” advises BGSU’s Johnson.

Senior year: Early on, update the deadline spreadsheet. Submit applications with time to spare, advises UC’s Ulses, “so you can be optimally considered for all funding sources.” Complete FAFSA early. (Some private schools also request a CSS Profile to award nongovernment aid. Find info at css.collegeboard.org)

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FAFSA PITFALLS future. BGSU’s Johnson notes that you don’t have to take any loan you’re offered, but if a crisis arises and you need that loan, “you’re already ahead of the game.”

If you’ve filed FAFSA, “the school can typically help you much faster.”

CAN YOU BOTCH THE PROCESS AND REDUCE your chances of getting aid? Absolutely, says pretty much everyone. Here’s what you need to look out for: 1. You don’t complete the FAFSA. “It is amazing how many people operate under the assumption that they won’t qualify for aid,” says Scott Moffitt of Summit Financial Group. The single greatest oversight is having multiple students in school at one time, which dramatically reduces EFC. Also, Plus loans and meritbased aid frequently require FAFSA. Another reason to submit is the unknown

2. You wait to file.

The University of Cincinnati doesn’t have a FAFSA deadline but “first come, first served” is a common practice among colleges.

3. You fall for scams.

FAFSA is free. Fafsa.gov will never charge a fee.

4. You ignore the preliminaries.

Start now! Request your FAFSA ID user name before the form is available (and don’t confuse it with your pin), so you’re ready to go in October. Also, parents and students need separate e-mail addresses,

says Thomas More’s Dyane Foltz.

5. You rush through it.

Take your time! Enter the number of people in your household and your adjusted gross income correctly (watch the zeros).

Consider carefully FAFSA’s definition of “dependent” and “independent” because this is tricky, notes Foltz.

6. You misstate your income.

For example, contributions to a retirement plan must be included as income, Moffitt says.

7. You confuse student income and assets with parental income and assets.

For instance, a 529 is usually not a student asset. This error will be discovered in an audit, but otherwise, “You’ve simply overstated the student’s assets and adversely impacted your aid eligibility,” Moffitt says.

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COLLEGE GUIDE 2016

MORE RESOURCES ONLINE • Cappex.com: Assists with college choice, includes reviews from insiders, and helps target applicable scholarships. University of Cincinnati junior Anne Weaver used this site to locate merit scholarships to cover the cost of her freshman year.

• Fastweb.com: Highly recommended by high school guidance counselors for financial aid direction and merit scholarship research, plus college facts and career advice.

• Studentaid.ed.gov: The U.S. Department of Education’s site includes details on types of federal aid available, applications, qualifications, and loan management.

• Bigfuture.collegeboard.org: Offers college planning info from the SAT folks, but some federal aid information is included as well.

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ABOUT LOANS AND GRANTS GRANTS ARE GIFTS. LOANS MUST BE PAID back, most often with interest. Federal grant eligibility is automatically determined by FAFSA. Loans come from a number of sources.

Here are some loans you should know:

carries a fixed interest rate of 5 percent, limited to $5,500 annually, with a lifetime undergraduate maximum of $27,500. See studentloans.gov for details.

Plus Loan (in parent’s name) “Parents can essentially borrow the cost of attendance less any aid received from the school,” says Scott Moffitt of Summit Financial. Loan payments begin immediately, though a deferment can be requested depending on student status, and interest may still accrue. With these loans, families can borrow more than they can afford. “There is a credit check but no income or debt-to-income qualification,” he says.

Stafford Loan These federal loans are available subsidized and unsubsidized. Subsidized loans are based on financial need. The government pays the accrued interest while a student is in school at least half time and until six months after graduation. “This loan is one of the best options for an eligible student,” says Debbie McDaniel, Anderson High School counselor. An unsubsidized loan does not depend on financial need, and interest begins to accrue immediately.

Private Loan You’ll find these credit-based loans offered in the student’s name; parents may need to cosign. Some lenders offer a cosigner

Perkins Loan The school is the lender for this loan, which

release option, so parents are off the hook after a year or two. “This has made private loans a little more attractive,” says Dyane Foltz of Thomas More College.

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COLLEGE GUIDE 2016

STRETCH YOUR TUITION DOLLARS SPECIAL PROGRAMS, ALTERNATE TUITION rates, and strategic career-path decisions can make a big difference when it comes to seeing that final tuition bill. Take advantage of the tips and insights collected here to make the most of your tuition dollars.

• Purdue University’s Back a Boiler program is an income-sharing arrangement whereby students may finance college by paying a percentage of earnings for a number of years after graduation. Terms vary, and there may be drawbacks for high earners. This is a bit of an experiment in the U.S., but Scott Moffitt of Summit Financial applauds this outsidethe-box approach. “I like the idea of them getting creative,” he says.

• In-state tuition offered to out-of-staters is “very much a form of merit-based aid,” Moffitt says. Some schools tend to offer

this bonus to high-performing students.

(Guidance counselors note University of South Carolina and the University of Alabama among these.)

• Look for alternate tuition rates: legacy tuition rates for children of graduates (Southern Illinois, Carbondale), border or in-state tuition (Eastern Michigan), or the metropolitan rate as offered by Northern Kentucky University to students in Greater Cincinnati. Tuition discounts for veterans or active-duty military are also options at some schools.

• The four-year graduation guarantee is becoming more common and often touted as a significant cost benefit. Baldwin Wallace College claims its guarantee is the first of its kind in northeast Ohio. The school does not require AP credits or early commitment to participate.

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• University of Cincinnati Clermont College now offers merit scholarships for highperforming high school seniors. “This is new in the last couple of years,” says Nancy Aniskovich of Turpin High School.

• Test-optional schools do not require SAT or ACT scores to be reported for admission.

Many require scores for merit scholarship consideration, however.

• “A few select schools will meet 100 percent need,” says SUA’s Lauren Williams.

Very high achievers with limited incomes may qualify at “no loan schools,” including Ivy League institutions. Research carefully because some student contribution may be required. See thebestschools.org.

• Berea College charges no tuition and admits academically promising students, primarily from Appalachia, who have lim-

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COLLEGE GUIDE 2016

STRETCH YOUR TUITION DOLLARS (CONTINUED) ited economic resources, though students come from all states. Ten hours of work per week are required.

• For those entering careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), targeted merit money can be found from private industry, notes UC’s Randy Ulses, and also from government, adds Troy Lum, director of academics for Summit Financial Group.

• “Students majoring in teaching have the perk of having some of their loan money forgiven if they teach in a struggling school district for a certain amount of time,” Lum says.

• Kentucky’s Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship Program, which offers free two-year community college, is delayed until 2017.

Watch the media for updates.

• Unlike many other grants, the need-based Kentucky Tuition Grant does not require Pell Grant qualification, says Foltz. In Ohio, the Ohio Opportunity Grant is available for qualifying students.

• Schools may offer more aid based on the university’s decision to grow a particular program. “Colleges keep this a secret so there is no way to know in advance,” Lum says. Private colleges can change scholarship offers during the application process as well, he says, depending on the number of applicants or a need to beef up acceptances. “This is why it is always important to submit a letter of appeal to private colleges” if a student’s need is not met, he says.

• Generally, schools have some money set aside for students they really desire, Moffitt notes. Even after aid packages have

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arrived, “they can offer a little bit more.”

He cautions, however, to reserve this request for special circumstances (a one-time bonus that skewed income or job change of a parent). In such cases, the student can appeal in writing to the financial aid office and explain why additional assistance is needed.

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COLLEGE GUIDE 2016

BELLARMINE UNIVERSITY 2001 Newburg Rd. • Louisville, KY 40205 Undergraduate Enrollment Information: (502) 272-7100, bellarmine.edu/admissions/undergraduate Graduate Enrollment Information: (502) 272-7200, bellarmine.edu/admissions/graduate Explore the world. Start within. At Bellarmine University, educational success is made attainable with the help of dedicated faculty and advisors. Students are able to sign up for the courses they need to complete their majors, guaranteeing graduation within four years. Bellarmine is a consistent presence on lists of top colleges, with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio and faculty scholars who are passionate about teaching. Bellarmine offers one of the nation’s most extensive international study programs, with 150 partnership sites on six continents. This world-class learning is centered on a 175-acre campus just five miles from downtown Louisville, home of top corporations, small businesses, and innovative nonprofits. Bel-

larmine graduates earn higher average salaries than their peers from any other Kentucky university, and a Career Development Center connects students and graduates with internships and employment in Louisville and beyond. The on-campus living experience offers traditional residence halls, plus apartment-style and suite accommodations. Knights Nation cheers on 22 NCAA Division II athletic teams plus Division I lacrosse. Rowdy students give Knights Hall one of the most lively home court advantages in college basketball. Bellarmine strives to make tuition affordable to qualified applicants, and 100 percent of the freshman population receives institutional scholarships and grants.

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1950 // CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 3,846 // STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 12:1 // UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES OFFERED: 64 // MASTER’S DEGREES OFFERED: 11 // DOCTORAL DEGREES OFFERED: 5 // SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE: Accounting, Business, Communication, Education, Environmental Science, Finance, Liberal Arts, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Physics, Psychology // DISTANCE FROM DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI: 102 miles // IN-STATE TUITION: $39,350 // OUT-OF-STATE TUITION: $39,350 // PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS ON FINANCIAL AID: 100% (undergrad) // TOP AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: One of nation’s 380 best colleges (Princeton Review); No. 13 among Southern Colleges & Universities (U.S. News & World Report); America’s Top Colleges (Forbes)

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“ WE ARE CALLED TO CREATE OUR OWN LIVES.” —Thomas Merton

Bellarmine offers students a holistic education, seeking to inform and inspire the mind, body and spirit. With a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students receive more focused, individualized attention from instructors. At Bellarmine, learning extends beyond the classroom with study abroad and internship opportunities open to all students, regardless of major. Bellarmine strives to make a world-class education affordable, offering merit scholarships to all admitted freshmen. For more information or to schedule a campus tour, visit bellarmine.edu/explore.

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COLLEGE GUIDE 2016

MOUNT ST. JOSEPH UNIVERSITY 5701 Delhi Rd. • Cincinnati, OH 45233 Undergraduate Enrollment Information: (513) 244-4531 or (800) 654-9314, msj.edu Graduate Enrollment Information: (513) 244-4233 or (800) 654-9314, msj.edu/grad Mount St. Joseph University is a Catholic academic community grounded in the spiritual values and vision of its founders, the Sisters of Charity. The university educates its students through interdisciplinary liberal arts and professional curricula emphasizing values, integrity, and social responsibility.

The Mount’s hallmark has always been smaller class sizes and personalized attention for all of its undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, along with a commitment to preparing graduates who are career-ready and leadership-focused.

Recent news: The Mount has been approved to develop a Physician Assistant (PA) program with initial enrollment proposed for January 2018. The approval was granted by the Accredita-

tion Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.

Once students are enrolled in the program, the Mount will be the only university within 60 miles of the Cincinnati region to offer the graduate degree. PA ranked No. 1 among the top 20 jobs for millennials in a recent article from The Wall Street Journal. The findings were based on a report from Young Invincibles, an advocacy group for young Americans.

The Mount has a proven record of success in health profession programs, including an undergraduate degree in nursing; graduate nursing programs, including MAGELIN and the MSN; as well as the DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) and the DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy).

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1920 // CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 2,123 // STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 11:1 // UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES OFFERED: 37 // MASTER’S DEGREES OFFERED: 6 // DOCTORAL DEGREES OFFERED: 2 // SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE: Doctoral: Physical Therapy, Nursing; Graduate: Nursing, Education, MBA; Undergraduate: Nursing, Sport Management, Biology, and Athletic Training // DISTANCE FROM DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI: 8 miles // IN-STATE TUITION: $27,300 // OUT-OF-STATE TUITION: $27,300 // PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS ON FINANCIAL AID: 98% // TOP AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: In 2015, 86.3 percent of Mount graduates surveyed reported working or attending graduate school within six months of graduation. Also, for the 2015 National Survey for Student Engagement (NSSE), Mount seniors ranked “experiences with faculty” and “the campus environment” significantly higher than other survey participants of private schools in the Great Lakes region (Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin). And, just announced in June 2016, a new survey by the Nursing Schools Almanac ranks the Mount’s nursing program at 34th among the nursing schools in the Great Lakes region for academic prestige and perceived value, the breadth and depth of nursing programs offered, and student success, particularly on the NCLEX national licensure exam. // AFFILIATED COLLEGES/SATELLITE CAMPUSES: Mount St. Joseph University continues to foster partnerships with several of Cincinnati’s hospitals for the delivery of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in nursing.

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STARTUP SUCCESS LAURA HORNSBY DUERRING CLASS OF 2005 Startup− as in taking risks and going from local to global.

Success− as in transforming a market niche into an innovative solution.

Streamspot is where Laura and her team deliver automated video streaming services for churches and synagogues across the U.S. and around the world.

Mount St. Joseph University is where Laura started her journey to success.

5701 Delhi Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45233-1670 513-244-4531 800-654-9314 www.msj.edu

Mount St. Joseph University is committed to providing an educational and employment environment free from discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation or other minority or protected status.

Visit www.msj.edu/non-discrimination for the full policy and contact information.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

COLLEGE GUIDE 2016

ART ACADEMY OF CINCINNATI 1212 Jackson St. • Cincinnati, OH 45202 Undergraduate and Graduate Enrollment Information: (513) 562-6262, artacademy.edu The Art Academy of Cincinnati is a place where “Make Art, Make a Difference” is a way of life!

As one of the smallest independent art colleges in the country, our program is distinct. The intimate community is composed of radical artists and designers who establish the rules for the future. Our students receive individualized attention from faculty who are die-hard creatives—which makes them perfect for ushering in a new generation of artists.

Our commitment to preparing students to be innovators in the visual arts started in 1869 and holds true today, just in a different location, the historic district of Over-the-Rhine.

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1869 // CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 210 // STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 8:1 // UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES OFFERED: 6 // MASTER’S DEGREES OFFERED: 1 // SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE: Visual Art and Design Majors: Design, Illustration, Painting and Drawing, Print Media, Photography, Sculpture // DISTANCE FROM DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI: 0 // IN-STATE TUITION: $28,908 // OUT-OF-STATE TUITION: $28,908 // PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS ON FINANCIAL AID: 86% // TOP AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: Accredited by National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD); Higher Learning Commission: A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges & Schools; Charter member of Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD) // AFFILIATED COLLEGES/SATELLITE CAMPUSES: Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and Universities; The Art Academy of Cincinnati actively participates in the consortium’s New York Studio Residency Program.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

CINCINNATI STATE TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE 3520 Central Pkwy. • Cincinnati, OH 45223 Undergraduate Enrollment Information: (513) 861-7700, cincinnatistate.edu/admission Cincinnati State is the regional leader in career education and one of its best higher education values. It provides relevant education geared to local employment needs, with one of the most comprehensive co-op programs in the country. For bachelor-bound students, Cincinnati State is a smart start with tuition less than half the cost of traditional universities and credits that transfer seamlessly to other colleges and universities. Cincinnati State offers associate degrees and certificates in nursing and healthcare, engineering technologies, culinary arts, business and information technologies, environmental technologies, humanities and sciences, and a wide range of specialized areas. Its Workforce Development Center provides customized training for corporate, governmental, and nonprofit clients as well as job-oriented courses for the public. Cincinnati State information sessions are held at the Clifton campus every Tuesday at 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1969 // CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 10,000 // STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 16:1 // UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES OFFERED: More than 130 Associate Degrees and Certificates // SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE: Health and Public Safety (including nursing, fire and emergency services, health and health information technologies); Engineering Technologies (including civil, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, welding, laser, and construction-related majors); Midwest Culinary Institute; Business Technologies; Humanities & Sciences (transfer programs that apply toward baccalaureate degrees); Environmental Technologies (water quality programs, horticulture, renewable energy, sustainable design); Graphic Design; Audio/ Video Production; Transportation Technologies // DISTANCE FROM DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI: 3 miles // IN-STATE TUITION: $148.64/credit hour // OUT-OFSTATE TUITION: $297.28/credit hour //PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS ON FINANCIAL AID: 77% // TOP AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: A recognized leader in co-op placements; Repeat U.S. Department of Labor manufacturing training grants; $2 million estate gift to establish William N. Eickenhorst Memorial Fund supporting scholarships for Administrative Assistant and related degrees and certificates // AFFILIATED COLLEGES/SATELLITE CAMPUSES: Middletown; Harrison and Evendale (Workforce Development Center); West Chester (Supply Chain Career Development Center); Great Oaks Campuses (LPN classes)

Ready to move forward?

Get ahead with Cincinnati State today.

Fall semester begins August 29 Explore Your Potential

Choose from 130+ programs and get real experience with one of 600+ co-op employers in fields like business, healthcare, engineering, culinary arts, education and many more.

Transfer Opportunities

Get your start with affordable tuition. We help you apply credits toward your bachelor’s degree with formal transfer agreements with 50+ universities like University of Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky University, and Mount St. Joseph University.

Convenient & Close To Home

Stay local and get a great education here in Ohio. Go to school on your schedule – day, evening, weekend and online classes available.

Text ‘College’ to 79928 to learn more.

Standard message and data rates may apply.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

COLLEGE GUIDE 2016

OTTERBEIN UNIVERSITY 1 S. Grove St. • Westerville, OH 43081 Undergraduate enrollment information: (614) 823-1500, uotterb@otterbein.edu, otterbein.edu/futurestudents Graduate enrollment information: (614) 823-3210, grad@otterbein.edu, otterbein.edu/graduate Otterbein University offers the smartest way to learn, according to industry experts. Otterbein is nationally recognized for its intentional blending of liberal arts and professional studies and commitment to integrating hands-on experiences into all learning. Its new STEAM Innovation Center will bring students in STEM and arts programs together with professionals from leading private and public sector organizations for unique experiential learning opportunities, leading to internships and job placements.

Otterbein University is now offering programs in criminology and justice studies, studio art and engineering physics, and in fall of 2017, mechanical engineering and environmental health and safety engineering.

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1847 // CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 2,800 // STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 11:1 // UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES OFFERED: More than 70 majors // MASTER’S DEGREES OFFERED: 7 // DOCTORAL DEGREES OFFERED: 1 // SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE: Nursing, Theatre, Equine Science, Education, Engineering, Zoo & Conservation Science, Service Learning // DISTANCE FROM DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI: 122 miles // IN-STATE TUITION: $31,424 // OUT-OF-STATE TUITION: $31,424 // PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS ON FINANCIAL AID: 98.2% // TOP AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: Top 10 percent among 149 peers in the Regional Universities–Midwest category of U.S. News & World Report’s “2016 Guide to America’s Best Colleges”; Recipient of the Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching; Honored annually "With Distinction" by the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll since the list’s inception in 2006. // AFFILIATED COLLEGES/SATELLITE CAMPUSES: Pre-medicine Early Assurance Program with Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine; Partnership with Marysville Early College High School (ECHS) for high school students and adult learners; Articulation agreements with Central Ohio Technical College, Clark State Community College, Columbus State Community College, Marion Technical College, North Central State College, Southern State Community College, and Zane State Community College.

STAND STRONG STAND OUT Now offering programs in: • Business Analytics • College of Osteopathic Medicine Early Assurance Program (in conjunction with Ohio

University’s Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine)

• Criminology and Justice Studies • Environmental Health and Safety Engineering (Fall ’17) • Mechanical Engineering (Fall ’17) • Studio Art (BFA) • Systems Engineering

NEW! STEAM Innovation Center (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics)

www.otterbein.edu/visit C G 2 2 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M A U G U S T 2 0 1 6

SCHEDULE A VISIT TODAY! 614.823.1500

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SINCLAIR COLLEGE MASON CAMPUS 5386 Courseview Dr. • Mason, OH 45040 Undergraduate Enrollment Information: (800) 315-3000, sinclair.edu/courseview

Opened in 2007, the Sinclair College Campus in Mason continues Sinclair’s mission of providing accessible, affordable, flexible education to meet the needs of the community. Conveniently located, the campus is easily accessible from I-71, central to Warren County. Students come from throughout the Warren, Butler, Clinton, and Northern Hamilton County areas.

Sinclair’s Mason Campus has enrolled more than 9,000 students since 2007 and offers more than 50 degree and certificate programs, including university transfer, business, IT, computer information, and healthcare options. Partnerships with other schools provide access to advanced degrees.

THE STATS YEAR FOUNDED: 1887 // CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 23,500+ college wide; 1,300 at Courseview // STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 19:1 // UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES OFFERED: 220 degrees and certificates system wide; more than 50 at Courseview // SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE: Healthcare, Business, Engineering Technologies, Information Technology, and programs designed for transfer to a four-year college or university. // DISTANCE FROM DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI: 24 miles // IN-STATE TUITION: $146.28/credit hour // OUT-OF-STATE TUITION: $282.40/credit hour // PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS ON FINANCIAL AID: 60% // TOP AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS: 2013 U.S. Professor of the Year: Bob Chaney (CASE and Carnegie Mellon Foundation); 2013 Automotive School of the Year (Tomorrow’s Tech magazine); Largest regional provider of online education with more than 200 different courses and 27 online degree programs // AFFILIATED COLLEGES/SATELLITE CAMPUSES: Locations in Dayton, Huber Heights, Englewood, Eaton, Wright- Patterson Air Force Base, and online.

BEST ROAD TO YOUR FUTURE For more than a century, Sinclair has offered world-class education with real-world value. Sinclair’s campus in Mason is helping to build the future of Greater Cincinnati, with a variety of degree and certificate programs, university transfer options and fully online classes.

IN MASON

www.sinclair.edu/courseview (513) 339-1212 A U G U S T 2 0 1 6 C I N C I N N AT I M A G A Z I N E . C O M C G 2 3

Eastern Kentucky University

There’s so much

here for you!

OHIO STUDENTS You can attend EKU for only $10,000 per year with our new Selective Merit Aid/Reduced Tuition (SMART) program

AUTOMATIC FOR ADMITTED STUDENTS WHO HAVE: An ACT composite of 18

(or 940 combined SAT score)

A cumulative high school GPA of 2.5 Maintain a college GPA of 2.5 and stay enrolled full-time each semester (fall & spring), and you’ll keep the SMART rate while pursuing your 1st undergraduate degree.

Visit us

on a Spotlight Day! October 8, 2016 October 29, 2016 November 19, 2016 February 4, 2017 April 15, 2017 Reserve your spot now!

go.eku.edu/cincinnati For more information: www.eku.edu

800-465-9191

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