ALBANY, NY—Maria College informed the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) that it will not participate in the Excelsior Scholarship’s program for private colleges and universities in New York—the Enhanced Tuition Awards (ETA)–this coming academic year (2017-18).
According to the state’s plan, ETA recipients would receive an additional $3,000 in state aid if they are full-time students and remain full-time throughout the academic year, and if the college matches the aid and freezes the student’s tuition for as long as they continue to receive the additional state aid. Since so many Maria students are part-time or shift from full-time to part-time during an academic year, Maria does not feel this program is a good fit for its unique student body. In addition, Maria has always focused on affordability which is demonstrated by the fact that Maria has by far, the lowest tuition of any private non-profit college in the region.
Dr. Thomas Gamble, Maria College president stated, “We reviewed the state’s ETA program details very carefully to see if it might be helpful to Maria students. Since so few of our students would be eligible for the program and since, to achieve our mission of providing opportunity education, we already offer a very affordable net cost attendance, we thought it best to continue to focus on strengthening the programs that are aligned with the needs of our part time and returning adult learners. Some components of the new state program are still in a very early stage of development and we also thought it prudent to let those details mature. Maria allocates financial aid from a variety of sources based upon need. Students who are interested in receiving a Maria education are encouraged to contact our financial aid office to learn what we have to offer.”
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About Maria College
Founded in 1958, Maria College is one of 16 colleges and universities in the United States sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. The private, co-educational, Catholic college in Albany serves almost 1,000 students in a variety of degree and certificate programs including liberal arts, healthcare management, nursing, occupational therapy assistant, and health and occupational sciences. Maria College prepares students for meaningful careers in healthcare and service so they can make a difference in the lives of others.
Contact:
communication@mariacollege.edu