Southern Indiana Business Report
VINCENNES – Vincennes University students will pay a little more in the 2021-22 school year after action by the board of trustees last month. In-state tuition will increase $200 in 2021-22, bringing the total to $6,450. The cost in 2022-23 will be $6,656. Despite the increase, VU remains the lowest-priced residential college in Indiana and has the state’s second-lowest tuition rates.
VU has increased scholarship aid to assist more students and has taken several measures to offset the cost of attending VU.
“The millions of dollars in enhanced scholarships are important to help us assist those who have been impacted by the pandemic and the challenges they may have faced in their family and financial circumstances. We hope these additional scholarships will encourage more students to take advantage of the great educational experiences that Vincennes University offers at all of our campuses and locations,” VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson said.
As part of that initiative, nearly a half-million dollars has been allocated to additional scholarships for all university sites and locations across Indiana, online and at military education locations.
The scholarship application deadline has also been extended to Sunday, Aug. 15, to allow more students to take advantage of available aid.
Another special scholarship initiative was launched specifically to help students on the Vincennes Campus. Newly admitted students and eligible returning students can save up to $10,000 on university housing. The Residential Opportunity Scholarship is worth up to $5,000 a year, renewable for two years of study.
VU and the Vincennes University Foundation awarded more than $4.2 million in scholarships for the 2020-21 academic year. On average, students received $3,447 over the academic year.
This year’s scholarship awards will be even greater. According to Johnson, with the new housing scholarship, the cost of attendance for a student living on the Vincennes Campus will be down 28% each of the next two years.
To help more individuals reach their potential and goal of earning a college degree, VU has partnered with the Pace Community Action Agency in Vincennes. To better serve VU students who are parents or guardians, the partnership provides free childcare through the Early Head Start and Head Start programs to children ages birth to 5 years old.
“VU prides itself not on who we exclude, but all we include. The University provides outstanding and life-transforming opportunities for everyone. We want to make it even more affordable and accessible,” Johnson added.
In additional business, the board approved a general operating budget of $85.8 million for the 2021-22 fiscal year and $87.6 million for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
According to Fortune, enrollment for fall semester 2021 looks optimistic as the projected incoming numbers are trending above this point last year.
Fall classes are scheduled to begin at VU on Monday, Aug. 16.
For more information, visit www.vinu.edu.