CAZENOVIA, N.Y. — Cazenovia College says it has raised the amount of merit-aid funds available to 2021-22 incoming freshmen for a second time amid the financial difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The initiative increases the base level of merit aid available to accepted freshmen by an additional $4,000 annually, boosting the lowest level of […]
CAZENOVIA, N.Y. — Cazenovia College says it has raised the amount of merit-aid funds available to 2021-22 incoming freshmen for a second time amid the financial difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The initiative increases the base level of merit aid available to accepted freshmen by an additional $4,000 annually, boosting the lowest level of merit-aid scholarships from $18,000 to $22,000 annually for four years.
The top level of annual merit aid remains at $31,000 per year for all four years. The college made that initial increase in merit aid back in October, when it also froze tuition and room and board costs and fees for the 2021-22 academic year.
Cazenovia College said the moves are aimed at “recognizing that protracted COVID-19 conditions continue to strain families economically” and that it is “furthering its commitment to affordability.”
“As we begin 2021 and COVID-19 hasn’t let up, we know that many families are still experiencing economic hardships,” Ron Chesbrough, president of Cazenovia College, said in a Jan. 14 news release. “We understand that impact as well as families’ concerns about college affordability. Consequently, we are redoubling our efforts to maintain the ‘Cazenovia Commitment,’ our vow that a Cazenovia education is accessible to all admitted students who desire it.”
Kristen Bowers, associate dean of admissions at Cazenovia College, said that many families have told the college about their worries about affordability and whether their children would even be able to start college in the fall of 2021. “This additional step is another way we are able to help them…” she said.
The levels of financial aid that Cazenovia College offers for accepted students for 2021-22, based on their high-school cumulative grade point averages (GPA) are as follows. The President’s Scholarship, which is $31,000 annually, is offered for cumulative GPAs of 4.0 or higher. In addition, the school offers a Trustee Scholarship, which is $28,000 annually, for a 3.7 GPA or higher; a Founder’s Scholarship, which is $26,000 annually, for a 2.85 GPA or higher; a Dean’s Scholarship, which is $24,000 annually, for a 2.25 GPA or higher; and a Futures Scholarship, which is $22,000 annually, for a 2.0 GPA or higher.
The scholarships are awarded each year for all four years of a student’s education as long as “satisfactory academic progress” is made towards a degree. They are offered regardless of family income or state of residency, Cazenovia College said.
The current costs to attend Cazenovia College include $36,668 in tuition and fees, $8,206 (room), and $6,528 (board), per the school’s website. That’s before scholarships and other financial aid.