Government
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Free University of Toledo tuition expanding
WKSU's Kevin Niedermier reports
More Northeast Ohio high school students are now eligible for
free tuition at the University of Toledo. Last fall, the university announced it is providing a free four-year education to qualified students from Ohio's six largest cities including Cleveland and Akron.
University spokesman Larry Burns says word of the program quickly spread to smaller cities...
Burns: "We were approached by a number of communities that were also metropolitan communities. Many of those cities asked if they would be considered, and we said certainly. And as we looked into it and did some calculations on what the student base would be, we felt it would be appropriate to include them. And so now there are 21 communities in the U. T. guarantee."
The expanded program includes Cleveland Heights, Elyria, Lorain, Warren and Youngstown. To qualify for free tuition, students must have a three-point-oh grade average, and show financial need.
The University of Toledo started the program because it wants to boost its minority enrollment. It's paid for primarily through government financial aid, which grows as the number of low income students grows. Tuition at Toledo is nearly $8000 a year.
About 500 Cleveland high school seniors enrolled in the program in December.
