50 percent tuition reduction offered to alumni or their spouses who have lost jobs

DETROIT -- In March 2009, Wayne State University rolled out an unprecedented financial aid stimulus program to enable students to withstand financial hardship resulting from the downturn in Michigan's economy. Strong response to the program has prompted university officials to extend the eligibility deadline from April 30 to June 30, 2009. In addition, the university has announced it will offer a 50 percent reduction in tuition for up to two classes per semester (for two semesters) to alumni or spouses of alumni who have lost a full-time job within six months of the time they enroll for classes. The intent of the two temporary programs is to alleviate some of the financial stress faced by students and prospective students, and help facilitate the retooling of Michigan's workplace through access to higher education.

The financial aid stimulus plan, approved in March by the Wayne State Board of Governors, instituted a one-time doubling of financial aid the university offers to qualified full-time freshmen, as well as sophomores, juniors and seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Funded through a reallocation of resources and implemented in fall 2009 to almost 8,000 students, the stimulus program is designed to:

• Increase need-based financial aid for all qualified students by at least 50 percent;
• Cover a full year of tuition for freshmen who require financial assistance;
• Double the amount of need-based grants over a four-year period for all undergraduates who maintain a 3.0 grade point average or above;
• Increase the merit-based Wayne State Scholars award by one-third, or $2,000/year.
• Enable more than 4,000 students to pay their entire four-year tuition bill.

Alumni seeking to take advantage of the 50 percent tuition reduction program must present verifiable proof of job loss for themselves or their spouse. The tuition reduction can be applied to two classes per semester for two semesters. This program will enable Wayne State alumni to begin educational or training programs that can help them build stronger backgrounds for their job search, update their field of knowledge, or refocus their careers.

Said Jay Noren, president of Wayne State University, "We are looking at a number of creative ways to help students and alumni get the education and training they need to be successful in their careers and help contribute to the reinvention of our economy."

As one of the world's top urban research universities, Wayne State seeks to ensure access to higher education for all qualified students. Even before the creation of the March 2009 financial aid stimulus program, Wayne State returned 27 cents of every tuition dollar to students in the form of financial aid. The June 30, 2009 extension for eligibility to participate in the financial aid stimulus program reaffirms Wayne State's commitment to accessible, affordable education for its students.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research university offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 31,000 students.