JACKSON, Tenn. — Jan. 14, 2002 — 51社区鈥檚 Office of Institutional Advancement recently announced that more than $1.25 million in gifts designated for student scholarships were received during 2001, a 10 percent increase from last year. Total gifts received during 2001 for the university were almost $7 million, not including pledges.
鈥淭he importance of this type of annual support for an institution such as ours is unquestionable,鈥� said Bob Alsobrook, senior vice president of institutional advancement. 鈥淲ithout this increasing level of support coming from our alumni, friends, churches and the business community, many students simply could not attend Union.鈥� According to the College Board鈥檚 annual report, private four-year college tuition increased by 5.5 percent to $17,123. Union continues to hold its tuition steady at $12,300 and was one of the few institutions in Tennessee selected by this year鈥檚 U.S. News & World Report to be included in the 鈥淟east Debt Load鈥� category.
Both the Office of Financial Aid and the Office of Business Services strive to work with students who may qualify for Union academically, but financially may experience challenges in paying for college.
鈥淲e see a lot of families who never realized what college costs, and are in need of tuition counseling which we try to provide,鈥� explained Bev Vos, administrative assistant to the Senior Vice President for Business Services. 鈥淲e work with them to develop payment plans, to look at their class options more closely, and develop a strategy that will help them achieve their ultimate goal - a degree from Union.鈥�
According to Bryan Nelson, director of financial aid, the average expected family contribution for low-income students to attend Union is below $3,000.
鈥淢ore than half a million dollars alone was given out last year for need-based students from one specific scholarship fund,鈥� said Nelson, adding that wasn鈥檛 necessarily the only scholarship individual students received.
鈥淲e are indeed very grateful for every friend of 51社区 who has joined us in our efforts to keep a quality Union education affordable and accessible for our students,鈥� said Union President David S. Dockery.