The college search process is in full-swing across the country as families’ schedules fill with college fairs and school visits. Their primary objective? To narrow their lists of prospective schools — hoping to find one that checks all (or most) of the boxes.

For many students, like Thorton Fractional South High School senior and basketball player Caleb Newman, affordability is at the top of the priority list. Caleb’s family recently attended Roosevelt’s Preview Day and shared, “We are considering at least ten institutions — both public and private — and the financial aid package from each will be a big determining factor in Caleb’s final decision. Roosevelt is a strong contender and we think a good fit.” The family has several additional visits planned and Caleb hopes to play collegiate basketball.

The sticker shock that many students face is often enough to eliminate a university from their list — or their pursuit of a college degree altogether.

Cost sensitivity is especially true for Roosevelt’s predominately first-generation and/or student-of-color populations. Currently, 28 percent of Roosevelt students identify as Hispanic or Latinx, while 18 percent identify as Black or African American. Fifty-four percent of the University’s undergraduate students receive a Pell Grant, which indicates that they and their families are not expected, nor likely able, to make any significant contribution to their educational costs. This statistic far surpasses the 34 percent national average.

Transparency is key

Understanding the cost of college and how to pay for it can be complicated, and Roosevelt’s goal is to make both as simple as possible. Michelle Stipp, assistant vice president of financial aid and enrollment services, says, “We promote a broader discussion around financial literacy between the student, their families, guardians and university. Many are new to the financial-aid process. Our Financial Aid Services team partners with the student to answer questions, provide support and make sure they understand each step of the process.”

To clear up confusion, colleges and universities are beginning to change their pricing structures to better reflect the real costs of a four-year degree.
Beginning in fall 2023, Roosevelt will be one of them. The University will reduce its tuition and fees for first-year students from $33,064 to $20,000 — a 40 percent decrease to the published tuition rate. The Chicago College of Performing Arts’ tuition will also decrease to $29,000. Roosevelt believes its new tuition model will make our pricing simple and more transparent.

“This tuition change reflects the University’s commitment to making college more affordable,” according to Stipp. “We also hope our new tuition price will encourage more students to check out Roosevelt and see all the great things we have to offer.”

Roosevelt leaders partnered with SightLine, Inc., a data analytics firm, to complete a comprehensive undergraduate market analysis. This research confirmed that affordability is a significant factor in Roosevelt students’ college consideration and eventual enrollment choice. It also helped identify a published tuition rate that places Roosevelt in a different published price competitive set, while maintaining scholarship opportunities to ensure access.

“For some students, tuition will be covered by the federal and state grants plus Roosevelt scholarships and grants,” Stipp continued.

Removing the barriers

The new tuition structure is only one way Roosevelt continues to reduce financial barriers and provide access to more families.

Nicole Barron, vice president of enrollment management and marketing communications, said, “If a Roosevelt degree is not affordable, it is not accessible. These go hand-in-hand — particularly for the diverse student body we’ve historically served. Many students and alumni attribute their ability to attend Roosevelt to the scholarships they received.”

During the last academic year, Roosevelt awarded more than $4.8 million in donor-funded scholarships to nearly 1,200 students. In addition, 4 out of 5 students received institutional-funded scholarships and grants.

Barron shared, “Donor support helps us hold true to our values of accessibility. It also ensures our students have the resources they need to be successful once here. Thanks to generous donors, we’ve recently introduced several new engagement programs for traditionally underrepresented students. We’ve also been able to assist students with unexpected, extreme financial and personal hardships — things which otherwise may put their education on hold.”

University leaders are optimistic that the combination of the new tuition model and continued donor support will help students graduate with the least amount of debt as possible. Stipp emphasized, “A Roosevelt education is an investment, and together we can help our students achieve financial success — now and after graduation.”

Barron added, “This new model prioritizes equity and meets students where they are. It also helps ensure that Roosevelt remains part of the conversation for students considering universities in the greater Chicago area.”

Junior Carrie LeFlore exemplifies a typical Roosevelt student
— hard working, determined and first-generation

Carrie LeFlore is high energy and driven. That’s a good thing because she works five 10 p.m to 7 a.m. overnight shifts as a project associate for Walmart each week before going to school full-time at Roosevelt during the day. The junior in the College of Science, Health and Pharmacy is bent on getting a BS in diagnostic medical sonography by spring 2024.

“Some mornings I may only have an hour window to shower, eat and drive to class,” said LeFlore, who usually sleeps in the early evening after class. “Mondays and Wednesdays are my busiest days because I’m in class until 5, so I don’t get much time to rest before work. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I only have one class, so I’m able to come home from class earlier and have more time to study, do homework and rest.”

LeFlore’s college career began in fits and starts. As a first-generation student growing up in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood, she enjoyed watching a documentary TV series called “The Baby Story,” which followed the pregnancy journey of different women across the world, the growth and development of the fetus and the birth of the infant. It really piqued her interest in the medical field. When it came time for college, she enrolled at Malcolm X College in the city. She dropped out after a year to work, ended up going back and then had to leave again for financial reasons.

A year later, she enrolled at Roosevelt because of its highly regarded radiography program, it was an easy commute and it became affordable because of scholarship and grant support.

“When I first learned I got the Roosevelt University Transfer Scholarship, I was very, very excited,” she said. “It was a big relief to be able to register for next semester classes, which you can’t do if you have a balance on your account. So, this scholarship was big.”

Student support resources

A commuter student, this is LeFlore’s first time at a big university. “Roosevelt has a lot to offer for transfer students: there’s helpful programs for minorities as well as advisors and counselors to talk to and learn about resources for students like me who may not know how to navigate a university. When I was first accepted, I had a lot of questions, but there were a lot of people willing to help me. They didn’t just throw me off to someone else. If they didn’t know the answer, they would send me directly to someone who could answer my question right away. It made a difference.”

In addition to the transfer scholarship, LeFlore also received a STEM Scholarship and the LeArthur Dunlap Scholarship for African American Students, recently established by the late Dunlap’s daughter, Heide Groomes.

“I believe in the power of scholarships,” LeFlore said. “Money is what holds a student back, and I think students should focus on making the most of their education and not worry so much about how to pay for it.”

According to Nicole Barron, vice president of enrollment management and marketing communications, many Roosevelt students are not just paying for school, but also helping with their family’s finances, so the added stress of worrying about how to pay for each semester will soon be taken off the table.