IU eliminating fees at regional campuses
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Indiana University on Thursday announced a plan to lower what it calls common barriers to attending college. The university says it is removing certain fees for high school students looking to attend one of its five regional campuses throughout the state and access college-level classes while still in high school.
Beginning this month the $35 application fee, parking fees, and $25 per-credit-hour fee for Advance College Project courses are being eliminated at the IU East, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU Southeast and IU South Bend campuses.
IU says U.S. residents, both in-state and out-of-state, can now apply to one of the regional campuses for free, which also makes them automatically considered for some scholarships.
The parking fees at each campus are being waived, though students will still be required to obtain a free parking permit.
The Advance College Project allows high school students to take dual-credit courses. Susan Sciame-Giesecke, vice president for regional campuses and online education, says removing the $25 per-credit-hour fee will broaden access to the program.
“Our students come from across the state, and each faces different challenges on their way to starting their college career,” Sciame-Giesecke said in written remarks. “By doing what we can to understand potential barriers, work through solutions and offer up meaningful and valuable opportunities to our students, we can work together to ensure those students who want to continue their education are able to transition as seamlessly as possible to an IU campus.”
Additionally, IU says some credits earned through the Advance College Project can count toward the Indiana College Core certificate. The certificate is awarded to high school students who complete 30 hours of coursework, and those students will also have guaranteed admission to any of the regional campuses.
“The Indiana College Core certificate will enhance the relationships each of the IU regional campuses have with the high schools in their service regions,” said Mike Beam, assistant vice president for school partnerships and senior assistant vice provost for undergraduate education. “Our regional campuses will now provide more dual-credit courses as well as advising and career support to enhance high schools’ college-going rates.”
IU Northwest also detailed additional efforts for its campus in Gary, including allowing students to apply to the university through Common App, an online platform where students can submit a single application to multiple schools.
The university added students who earn IU credits through the Advance College Project will receive a $500 renewable scholarship to IU Northwest.
“Our goal is to make an IU education accessible and affordable for the students of Northwest Indiana and Illinois,” said IU Northwest Chancellor Ken Iwama. “These enhancements make it even easier and less costly to apply to and enroll at IU Northwest and we encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of these new opportunities.”