to apply to schools that don’t have the track record of private institutions, and has caused enrollment at schools like Le Moyne to go down. “[Excelsior] aids those that already pay a low amount of tuition, so poor students are not really benefitting as we might think they would,” she said. “It’s taking away from the private sector and putting some of these students into some institutions whose retention and graduation rates [are less successful].” All three presenters advocated for other means to offer tuition assistance to lower-income families through use of larger Pell Grants, tuition assistance programs and scholarships. Heller’s proposition is to put the same money into federal Pell Grants, which would allow the grants to double from the current maximum amount of $6,195 to $12,690. “It would target the students whom
For more information on the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and its February virtual conference, visit www.accunet.org. we know really need the assistance,” he suggested, “and it would allow students to use the Pell at any institution in the country, including institutions like ours that have higher tuition rates.” The state-based free tuition program in New York “is a stark departure from the bipartisan commitment to fund students based on the institution that really represents the best match for a student’s career aspirations,” LeMura explained. “A better option in our view would have been to take those resources and put them in the tuition assistance program – a clear, means-tested program that has helped educate thousands over the decades.” Marian University gives scholarships to students who qualified for free and reduced lunches in their K-12 schools.
Elsener said that the scholarship option, as well as following each student with counseling, have resulted in their graduating at a higher rate than the general population. “If I would have told them ‘come here for free,’ I would have offered them a commodity, something not all that special that they didn’t have to invest in,” he said. “We raised money from foundations to put in systems and processes to coach and mentor these students.” “It’s not just about getting in the door,” Elsener continued. “Our voices should be out in the public square. It’s about serving them well, not having them borrow money and drop out … Let’s be targeted, let’s make sure that whatever program we start can pass the next economic sobriety test.” B B. B.S .S. S. . i M N in in n C A EW E He sp om JO al or pu RS th ts te ca M r re a Sc Ad na ien m gem ce in ist en ra t tio n
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March 2021 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE 43