Saint Mary’s expands program to make private college accessible to more families

Saint Mary’s announced this week that it is expanding its Brother James Miller Program for Access, making a private college education affordable to even more students and families.

Through the innovative program, Saint Mary’s guarantees that the total cost for qualified freshmen will be equal to or less than the cost to in-state students attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (including tuition, room, meals and fees).

Most lower-income families will also qualify for federal and state aid to further reduce their expenses.

The U of M was chosen for comparison because it is Minnesota’s flagship public university, with costs in the median range of other Big 10 schools.

When the Brother James Miller Program was introduced in 2007, the adjusted gross income (AGI) limit for qualifying families was $75,000. For freshmen enrolling in fall 2009, Saint Mary’s will expand the program to include families with up to $100,000 AGI.

Over a four-year period, the estimated minimum value of the Brother James Miller Program for Access will exceed $50,000 per student. For 2009-10, Saint Mary’s has allocated more than $4,300,000 to fund this program as well as other freshman scholarships and grants.

“We’re excited to offer this guarantee,” said Tony Piscitiello, vice president for admission. “The current economic climate is challenging to many families. Some students whose parents are in the low- to middle-income range do not consider attending private schools -- even Saint Mary’s, where costs are lower than most Minnesota private colleges. They believe it is not affordable, despite the available grants and financial aid.”

The aid program is named for Brother James Miller, a 1966 Saint Mary’s graduate who did mission work in Nicaragua and Guatemala. He was doing “God’s work” of bringing education, faith and hope to marginalized Guatemalans when he was shot and killed on Feb. 13, 1982.

To qualify for the Brother James Miller Program for Access, students must be entering freshmen in fall 2009, have parental adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less, be dependent of parent(s), have a “B” average, and meet other requirements.

Check www.smumn.edu/access for details, or call SMU Admission at Ext. 5987.