Villanova University
PA-8: Affordability and Access

Villanova University is dedicated to providing students and parents with financial aid, including grants, scholarships, loans and student employment, as well as payment options to assist in meeting educational expenses. One way with which the University achieves this goal is through the Villanova University Grant program. For 2013-2014, Villanova University will fund more than $86 million in financial assistance to undergraduate students. Of this total, more than $64 million will be awarded through the need-based Villanova Grant program. The O'Toole program is new to Villanova and very different from other programs. In partnership with Terry O'Toole, a Villanova Alum, each year, up to twelve students from the Newark NJ Archdiocese will be selected to participate in the O'Toole program. The program helps prepare students for college and provides funding for them to attend Villanova University. This is the first program to follow students through high school to higher education. https://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/media/pressreleases/2013/0523.html

Low-income students that otherwise qualify for the Academic Advancement Program or the A.C.T.I.V.E. Retention Program, both offered through the Center for Multicultural Affairs, receive free counseling and tutoring services. Often times, the individuals that oversee such services will reach out to faculty and staff on behalf of students to bridge better relationships with a collective vision toward helping students graduate.

The Academic Advancement Program (AAP) provides students of low income the support they need to successfully complete their college degree. The program includes a five-week pre college program to prepare them for freshman year. other services provided for AAP participants include: • An office and staff to guide students in whatever course of study they may be enrolled; • Counseling by qualified staff for reading, academic and personal issues; • Peer counseling service from qualified fellow students for advice and suggestions for academic and personal life at the University; • Tutorial service for most courses that may be presenting the student with difficulties; • Financial aid counseling. All services offered through AAP are free for eligible students https://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/studentlife/multiculturalaffairs/services/aap.html

Villanova offers a number grants to need-based and/or underrepresented groups to be used towards tuition costs. These opportunities include: • The Villanova/Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship Program awards five partial scholarships per year to academically outstanding undergraduates who are the first in their families to attend college, and demonstrate a financial need. • The Goizueta Foundation Scholars Fund has been instituted for the purpose of providing need-based scholarship assistance to those who have extensive personal interest, involvement and experience in the Hispanic/Latino culture. This fund helps to cover part of the tuition costs. • The Hovnanian Scholarship provides funding to undergraduate students of Armenian descent to attend Villanova University on a full-time basis. • The St. Martin de Porres Grants are reserved for students who have grown up in the immediate Philadelphia and are members of the most underrepresented groups in undergraduate education, including (but not limited to) members of underrepresented racial and ethnic populations, students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and students from families in which few or no members have attended college. • The Denise McNair Memorial Scholarship provides full tuition for eight consecutive semesters to an entering freshman who is a U.S. citizen from a traditionally underrepresented population, has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and is committed to family, religious faith, peace and justice. • The Precision Castparts Corp (PCC) Scholarship and Support Program provides two scholarships a year to students from Archbishop McDevitt High School that fall into traditionally underrepresented categories: the four protected racial/ethinc groups, first generation or Pell Eligible. In addition to providing the students with the funds to attend Villanova University, all of the students have a paid internship on breaks and during the summer. Additionally, PCC provides the funds for one full graduate assistant to work with Sophomore retention efforts.

Although not entirely focused toward parents of low income students, Villanova University holds approximately 40 "financial assistance nights" across the Delaware Valley to assist parents of potential Villanova students through the financial assistance paperwork and process in general.

The Center for Multicultural Affairs College Day is an opportunity for junior high school students and high schools throughout the country to visit Villanova and get the college application wheels turning. The day would typically consist of: a student panel discussion; a tour of the University; lunch in one of the University's main dining halls; classroom visits; a financial aid presentation; and, an admission presentation. College Weekend is a rare opportunity given to underrepresented students to gain full exposure to the college experience. This interactive program is for three days and two nights. During this weekend high school juniors (spring) and seniors (fall) will reside with current students while partaking in the academic side of college which includes SAT prep classes, essay writing classes, and financial aid/admissions presentations and the social side which includes a cultural program on campus such as Diwali, Heritage, or MSL Night.

The Presidential Scholarship is a renewable, merit-based award covering full tuition, room, board (up to 19 meals-per-week plan), general fee, and the cost of textbooks for eight consecutive semesters. Presidential Scholars are transformational leaders both on and off campus who have demonstrated a love of learning and a commitment to enhancing both their local and broader civic communities. Villanova Presidential Scholars represent diverse intellectual, social, ethic, and economic backgrounds. Each year, of the 28 Presidential Scholarships, 6 scholarships are reserved for candidates from historically underrepresented groups, first in their family to pursue a college education, and low income (generally Pell Grant eligible) students.

Villanova provides a list of scholarships provided specifically for part-time students (http://www1.villanova.edu/villanova/parttime/scholarships.html). Included among them is the Bisk Education Endowed Scholarship. Established in 2008 by Bisk Education Inc., the Bisk Education Endowed Scholarship seeks to recognize Part-Time and Continuing Studies students who demonstrate both academic potential and financial need. To qualify, students must be matriculated in a Part-Time Studies degree program (non-matriculated, visiting, and post-graduate students are ineligible). Part-Time Studies candidates must also demonstrate a cumulative Villanova GPA of 3.0 or higher, and be registered for six or more credit hours per semester. Scholarship aspirants must also have demonstrated financial need, as determined by the Office of Financial Assistance and based on Federal guidelines.

Villanova University offers a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) in Leadership Studies at Montgomery County Community College’s West Campus in Pottstown, PA.

In May 2014, Villanova University announced the creation of the College of Professional Studies (CPS)—the first new College at the University in 50 years. CPS provides academically rigorous undergraduate degree and non-degree programming—both on campus and online—for the adult learner and working professional. CPS continues Villanova’s long-standing tradition of service to adult learners and will expand Villanova’s breadth of academic offerings by providing ever greater options and flexibility. It will house and continue to advance the programs of the University’s Part Time and Continuing Studies area. Part-Time Studies: CPS offers a part-time evening program for adult learners through the Office of Part-Time Studies with more than 15 bachelor’s degree and certificate programs. Continuing Studies: CPS offers non-credit professional education, training and development programs for adult learners through the Office of Continuing Studies. Choose from more than 20 on-campus and online programs. Students within the College of Professional Studies has identical access to all of the same academic support and campus services as full-time, "traditional" students.