DAVENPORT — St. Ambrose University has increased merit- and need-based scholarship offerings by close to 5 percent in the past year while working diligently to keep the cost of a private college education affordable for hard-working families.
The increase in financial assistance stands in contrast to the impact statehouse budget reductions may be having on scholarship funding at some public universities.
For the past five years, St. Ambrose also has been committed to keeping tuition increases at or below 3 percent. That runs counter to the 3.7 percent average increase of tuition and fees at U.S. private colleges, as cited by the non-profit, student-success organization The College Board. In fact, St. Ambrose’s controlled increases have virtually kept pace with the 2.9 percent average increase in tuition and fees for all U.S. public colleges.
At least one Iowa regents university currently is proposing tuition increases of as much as 33 percent over the next five years. This helps to further illustrate that an SAU education — which provides the invaluable focused and personal attention that comes with a student-to-faculty ratio of 11-to-1— is a highly affordable option.
“Amid all the concern about college affordability in an uncertain financial environment, St. Ambrose has managed to stay the course in regard to the scholarship assistance it provides undergraduate students,” said Julie Haack, assistant vice president for enrollment. “The five percent increase in assistance offerings has helped us stay ahead of the tuition increases necessary to help a not-for-profit, private, Catholic institution such as ours remain viable.”
Haack said the university’s success in keeping those increases well below the national average is made possible by “smart budgeting and controlling costs.”
The university also has worked to offset any cost increase to families through all available means of financial assistance. Haack also noted that 98 percent of all first-year students at St. Ambrose receive some form of financial aid.
St. Ambrose is committed to helping families provide their children the higher education necessary to succeed in a global economy and digital age, Haack said
“We have seen incomes fluctuate since the last recession and have worked with a number of parents dealing with job loss and budgetary cutbacks,” she said. “Parents who see the value of a private education seem to make it work for their students.
“With competitive scholarships, state and federal grants, and student loans, we can come close to the cost of a state school in some cases,” she said. “Our scholarships range from $6,000 to full tuition. We also offer an accelerated program with a discounted tuition rate that offers evening classes and online options for the working adult.”
Prospect and parent can learn more about an affordable St. Ambrose education at www.sau.edu/finaid or speak with an Admissions Counselor or schedule a visit by calling 563-333-6300.
