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Miami University next year will take a significant step toward making Miami accessible to all academically qualified students regardless of income by providing tuition and fees to Ohio students with family incomes less than $35,000, Miami President David Hodge announced August 18.
Hodge announced the "Miami Access Initiative" at his first state of the university address, indicating that it will begin with new students entering the Oxford campus in fall 2007. Included would be any Ohio resident with a family income of less than $35,000 who enters the Oxford campus as a first-time, full-time freshman or who attends Miami's Hamilton and Middletown campuses and then relocates to Oxford.
The initiative will cover all tuition and fees for eligible students for up to four years, and Hodge says he hopes the new program initially will benefit between 125 and 150 new students every year "and more as the program becomes well known."
Miami was able to undertake initiative because of a bequest of more than $10 million from Lois K. Klawon, a 1939 alumna from Westlake who died in 2005, leaving half of her estate to Miami to support needy students.
"By combining our existing levels of support, the income from the Klawon gift, matching funds from other generous donors and the federal and state financial aid these students already receive, we are able to undertake this significant new initiative that we hope will encourage students from low-income families to see Miami as a real option for a high quality college experience, and that more of them will enroll at Miami," said Hodge.
To qualify, students must pursue their first bachelor's degree, remain enrolled full time and be eligible for federal student financial aid. While the funds are guaranteed for four years only, students would still be eligible for state and federal grants beyond four years.
The ceiling of $35,000 will follow the definition of household income as provided by the Census Bureau. Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on time and submit financial documents to assure they qualify for the Miami Access Initiative. Funds for room and board are not provided, although many of these students will have loan or work-study eligibility that can cover costs for room, board and books, Miami officials say. he initiative will not apply to current and transfer students.
As part of this effort the university also is planning a special advising and mentoring program for those students who can benefit from such programs in their adjustment to college life, Hodge added.
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