CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In response to public concern about rising education costs, Thiel College, Greenville, Pa., will reduce its tuition by 27 percent for new students entering the college in the fall of 1999. Thiel is one of 28 college and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
"We want the public to know that we hear their concerns and we're doing something about it," said Dr. C. Carlyle Haaland, president of the college. "Our goal is to make Thiel's quality education affordable to all students."
Thiel's tuition price will drop from $13,676 to $9,990, making it "one of the most affordable liberal arts colleges in the nation," according to Haaland.
Stephen Eidson, Thiel's executive director for enrollment management, said the college "is bringing its advertised price in line with real costs. Families will be better informed about actual costs much earlier in the college application process."
The decision to implement the tuition reduction plan is in response to a recent survey conducted by the American Council on Education, an association of colleges and universities in the United States. Survey results indicate that "the cost of a college education is among Americans' top five list of worries about their children."
"About 64 percent of Americans worry about financing a college education for their children more than they worry about their children being a victim of a crime," said the survey.
Thiel's tuition plan will be introduced on an incremental basis beginning with new students entering in the fall of 1999. Current students will be subject to the former tuition rate but will continue to receive Thiel's grants as part of their financial aid package. Current students who do not qualify for need-based financial aid will receive special Thiel grants during this transition.
"Thiel is in a position of strength to implement such a plan," said Haaland. "Together with a history of solid enrollment, a successful capital campaign and a continued commitment to improving Thiel's programs and facilities, the tuition reduction is part of a strategic plan for the college's growth in the next millennium.
"We're proud to be one of the first colleges in northwestern Pennsylvania to offer such an innovative financial discount to students," Haaland said.
For information contact:
Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director (773) 380-2955 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
