uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø announces new program to dramatically expand financial aid?

uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø has launched an innovative financial aid program ¡ª uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø Possible ¡ª to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for qualifying newly enrolled students. 

¡°High-achieving students whose expected family contribution doesn¡¯t meet the direct cost of attendance can achieve their dream of a high-caliber education with uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø Possible,¡± said Executive Vice President W. Kent Barnds. ¡°This will be a game-changer for a segment of students.¡±

Many students who will benefit from uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø Possible will be the first in their families to attend college. This was the vision of uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø graduate Murry Gerber, who made the $40 million commitment to provide financial aid and scholarships to uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø students with backgrounds similar to his own. Murry Gerber¡¯s vision has inspired many other donors to bring uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø Possible to life for future students and alumni. 

The uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø Board of Trustees has endorsed the initiative, which will position uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø among an elite group of colleges nationwide offering similar financial aid programs. 

uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø Possible is the largest and latest effort by the 162-year-old college to address affordability, create access and expand opportunities for students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. In the past five years, uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø has increased the amount of financial aid by 10%, to approximately $72 million annually. Now 100% of incoming uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø students receive financial aid. 

¡°We believe in the potential of this college, and we believe deeply in the incredible potential of today¡¯s students,¡± said Barnds. ¡°The commitment to meeting 100% of a high-achieving student¡¯s demonstrated financial need allows us to open our doors more fully, and in turn it helps us build a stronger uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø.¡±

How it works

To determine financial eligibility for uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø Possible, students will submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, available for some students living in Illinois. uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø Possible meets the demonstrated financial need of every eligible student, using available funds from federal, state and college sources. 

See uedbetÌåÓý¹ÙÍø Possible for more details, qualifications and examples of funding.