Honors Series

February

Some deadlines have passed. In fact, last week 33 incoming freshmen were on campus competing in our Presidential Scholarship competition. However, even as we think about this outstanding group of students who will join the QU community next fall, we want others to know that this competition is just the tip of the iceberg when we consider the broader range of scholarships and grants that our students receive.

Beyond the highly competitive Presidential Scholarship, there are three main sources of scholarships and grants at QU. If you are accepted for admission, it is highly likely that you will receive one or more of these awards that range up to full tuition.

Talent-based Awards:

• Music Scholarships:
• Art Scholarships:
• Athletic Scholarships: QU competes in NCAA Division II, and awards scholarships in 13 sports for men and women. You should contact individual coaches for specific information.

Academic Scholarships:

• Academic scholarships are based on your high school academic record and scores from either the ACT or SAT. Your application for admission doubles as your scholarship application.
• These awards range from $5000 to $11,000 and are renewable for an additional three years.
• Most accepted students receive one of these awards.
• Scholarship letters are mailed approximately two weeks after you are accepted for admission.

Need-based Grants:

• Even with generous Talent-based and Academic Scholarships, many students find themselves concerned about costs.
• QU has a strong commitment to remain affordable to all students who qualify for admission. We award additional grant assistance to back up this commitment.
• In addition to grants from QU, we also coordinate state and federal grant programs.
• For students with good academic records and a high level of financial need, the combination of these programs may extend to full tuition.
• All need-based scholarship and grant programs require that families file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). See the January Affordability Series article for further information.
• When you have questions about financial aid or filing the FAFSA, we'll be happy to help. Call us at 1-800-688-4295.

This year Quincy University students receive more than $11 million dollars in scholarship and grant assistance. On average, this covers more than 70 percent of their tuition and often brings the cost of a QU education to the level of a state-run university.

If you want the personal attention from faculty that will help you succeed in the classroom, an active learning environment that will give you a step up in the job market, and the close-knit campus community we offer at QU, make sure you explore ALL the scholarship and grant opportunities that can make this possible. Never assume you can't afford any college or university without first exploring all the options.

Even more important, if you haven't applied to QU yet, your application starts the entire process. You should have an admission decision within 10 days of completing your application file and you'll know about scholarships shortly thereafter. The application fee is waived if you apply online.

January

Scholarships (read the December Affordability Series) are about rewarding you for past accomplishments and for the academic and other talents you bring to a campus community. Although Quincy University awards millions of scholarship dollars, that's not the most important part of the affordability story.

Most of the financial assistance at QU goes to students who otherwise couldn't afford to attend. QU (and many other institutions) does that to respect YOUR CHOICES. This enables you to attend your first choice university, the one you believe will best meet your needs.

At QU we have a commitment, driven by our Franciscan heritage, to make sure that all qualified students can afford the personal attention and campus community we offer. This chart shows the results of that commitment. As you can see, students from ALL income ranges call QU their home.

Adjusted Gross Income	Number of Students	Average Financial Aid
Below 40,000	274	24,878
40,000 - 59,999	95	22,770
60,000 - 79,999	92	22,102
80,000 - 99,999	112	19,532
Above 100,000	177	19,436

Notes:

1. Includes all 2007-2008 dependent students who filed a FAFSA
2. Includes all sources of scholarships, grants, student loans and campus jobs
3. The chart represents averages and should not be used to project individual awards, which will vary based on family circumstances.

Surprised at these averages? Most students and their families are. We're serious about providing a high quality, yet affordable education. That's why we're so disappointed when students who want to attend QU don't file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Don't make the mistake of limiting YOUR CHOICES by not gathering the information you need to make a good decision. To help you with the decision of whether or not to file the FAFSA, here are some of the lame excuses we hear every year:

Comment:
We're not going to file the FAFSA. My cousin went through that process and they didn't get anything from East-Western Megaversity.

Answer:
The basic formula all colleges and universities use is simple:

COST OF ATTENDANCE — EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION

= FINANCIAL AID NEED

The EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION (what you and your family can afford) is set by the federal government and will be the same for every university you consider. However, COST OF ATTENDANCE is set by each university. Many students who aren't eligible for financial aid at East-Western Megaversity because the tuition is lower do receive assistance at private universities which have a higher COST OF ATTENDANCE. That can level out your cost and free you to base YOUR CHOICE on non-financial factors.

Comment:
We tried filling out the FAFSA last year when my sister went to college and we didn't get a thing.

Answer:
You'll love this! Having multiple kids in college can be a GREAT thing, at least from a financial aid perspective. The EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION figure will be reduced for both you and your sister. That makes it easier for you to qualify for financial aid... and your sister will probably qualify next year as well. (The worst case scenario finds kids spaced at four year intervals - but most parents weren't thinking about that at the time.)

Comment:
Private colleges are for rich kids.
Answer:
That's simply not true. Just look at the income distribution in the chart above. In fact, numerous studies show that students from the wealthiest families attend the major public universities. Regardless of your family's financial background, you'll find other students like you at QU.

Comment:
All the FAFSA does is qualify us for loans.
Answer:
We distribute about $11.5 M in scholarships and grants. That's about 68% of the money reflected in the charts above. However, you should know that some of the best college loans are only available if you file a FAFSA. So, at the very least, filing a FAFSA means you get some good interest rates on a loan.

Comment:
We're not filing the FAFSA, we just can't afford Quincy.
Answer:
You're making a decision that will have a lasting affect on your career, your friends and your involvement in community. Don't make a decision without all the facts.

Comment:
It's just too complicated, we'll just settle for a public university.
Answer:
For some students, that may be the best choice. However, there are significant differences in program, personal attention and campus community, differences that can be linked to stronger career and life outcomes. So don't just "settle." It's too important.

Your next steps:

1. File the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. We should receive the results in about 48 hours. Remember, if you have questions just call QU's Financial Aid office at 217-228-5260 for assistance.
2. List QU as one of the colleges and universities to receive the results. Our FAFSA code is 001745.
3. If you haven't already done so, apply for admission. Universities only award financial aid to accepted applicants. At QU we waive the application fee for the on-line application.
4. You should have an admission decision within a week of the time your application file is complete and a financial aid award shortly thereafter.

If you've read this far and you're still wondering about whether to file the FAFSA, here's some good advice regardless of where you are applying - just do it. That may be what brings the enriching campus community and personal attention of QU within reach. Most important, you protect YOUR CHOICES by gathering the financial information you need to make a good decision.

December

Scholarships (and grants which are really the same thing with a different name) are gift assistance. They are yours to spend on tuition and you never have to repay them. While you do have to qualify, the criteria vary widely. Of course, you also have to apply for them and that's going to take some time and effort on your part. The good news at many private colleges, including Quincy University, is that nearly all students will receive one or more forms of scholarship and grant…so it's well worth your time!

Here are some general things you should know about scholarships:

• Local scholarships. The sources vary from a parent's employer to the Daughters of the American Revolution.  As you can imagine, the criteria and deadlines are just as varied. If you haven't already done so, December is a good time to do some exploring. The longer you wait, the more deadlines you miss.
• Dollars for Scholars. This organization is the fastest growing source of local awards. Best of all, some colleges and universities (including QU) support the program by providing matching scholarships for individual students. Check out www.ScholarshipAmerica.com to see if there is a chapter in your area.
• Check with your high school counselor. They are often aware of scholarship opportunities or, at least, can give you some ideas about where to start your search.
• Scholarship search companies. You may have heard from companies who "guarantee" to find you a scholarship. There's usually a fee involved, so be very careful. Most of what they deliver is available for free online, in your high school, or from the colleges and universities you are considering. If what they offer sounds too good to be true, it usually is. 
• Compare carefully. It's not just about how large the scholarship is, it's also about how large the tuition is. If the largest scholarship comes from the school with the highest tuition, that may or may not be best for you. For every college and university you consider, use this formula:

2008-09 Total Cost (tuition, fees, housing, meals) — Scholarships and Grants

= YOUR Cost

• Financial need. Federal and state grants, as well as some of QU's grant programs, are based on the ability of each family to pay the tuition at a private college. At QU we believe every accepted applicant should be able to choose the university that best matches their abilities and interests. A decision this important shouldn't come down to a cost decision. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form you'll need to file for all colleges and universities. You may send it in anytime after January 1. Watch for further information about the FAFSA in the January Affordability Series.
• Hidden scholarships. At private colleges and universities like QU, no student pays the full cost of attendance. The generosity of alumni and other donors enhances academic quality without increasing student cost. Every student benefits equally from this support.

The strong sense of community is evident wherever you look on the QU campus. In keeping with this, our scholarship programs recognize students for the variety of gifts they bring to our community. As you would expect, academics (your high school record and test scores) lie at the heart of our scholarship decision. However, what we know about your leadership, community involvement and activities beyond the classroom also play a role. Scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $11,000 per year are awarded based on what we learn in your application for admission.

In addition, we conduct an on-campus competition for three full-tuition Presidential Scholarships. This competition is by invitation only and will be conducted February 9. Applicants must have at least a 27 ACT and a gpa of 3.2.

It's rare for any college or university to award a scholarship before a student has been admitted to the university. QU streamlines this process for you by combining the admission and scholarship applications. We use a rolling admission process which means that we accept qualified applicants in the order they apply. When you complete an application for admission, you can expect a decision within two weeks. If accepted, we will evaluate you for a scholarship within the next two weeks. As we write this in early December, more than 400 scholarships have already been awarded to next fall's freshmen. If you plan to apply to QU, sooner is always better than later. We waive the application fee when you complete the process online at : http://www.quincy.edu/Admissions/ApplyOnline.php

We'll leave you with two final thoughts about scholarships. First, you may have heard "Modesty is a virtue." That's true, BUT, not on your application for admission and scholarships. Help us – and yourself – by giving us all the information we need to make a good decision. For some students, we need to learn about your breadth – that you've been involved in a variety of school and community activities. For others, we want to hear about your depth, the one area where your passions lie, where you have excelled. Great communities require both breadth and depth.

Finally, and most important, please don't make the mistake of thinking none of this applies to YOU. This year QU students received a total of $11.35 million in scholarship and grant assistance. On average, those funds covered approximately 70 percent of their tuition. More than 90% of QU students would not be here without these scholarships and grants.

We're interested in the match between students' interests and university strengths…and so are you. You don't have to compromise that match by attending a lower cost university. Scholarships make that possible.

April

Print Version

RAP is happening! The dates for Quincy University’s Registration and Advisement Program (RAP) have been sent.  Honors students, and those who may qualify as honors students, will have the opportunity to meet with Dr. Michael Lopez-Kaley, the Honors Director, to discuss the honors program and what it means for you.

Many of you may have already applied for the Honors program.  However, there may be others who may qualify for the Honors program, but are unaware of it.  If you have an ACT score of 27 or better and a high school gpa of 3.5 or better, we encourage you to make application for the honors program.  You can either contact the Director of Honors for an application (lopezmi@quincy.edu) or register on the morning of your RAP session.

The RAP sessions have been scheduled for Saturday, April 26th, Friday, June 6th, Friday, June 20th, and Friday July 11th.  Honors applicants and those wishing to be part of the honors program should be aware of some special considerations:

• A time has been set apart during the morning to meet with the Director of the Honors Program at QU.  If you have applied OR you qualify for the program and would like to know more about Honors, please make sure that you attend that meeting.  If your name is not called out to attend the meeting and you qualify, please approach one of the session leaders and explain to him/her your situation.
• Be ready to voice any questions or concerns you may have about the Honors program, or completing it by the time of graduation.  The meeting is scheduled to give you a chance to understand how the Honors program fits into the well-rounded and challenging education you will receive at QU. 
• When you register during the day, be sure to register for TRS 116H 04, Western Religious Traditions taught by Dr. Ed Maniscalco.  This is a specially designated course for honors students only.  We require honors students to take this course in the fall, and the honors English Composition course in the spring.

We are very proud of our Honors program at Quincy University.  Each new class of scholars brings with it individuals with inquiring minds and wisdom to share.  We welcome those of you who want to join this community of scholars.

March

Print Version

Who can apply for the Honors Program?
Students with an ACT composite score of 27 and a high school grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 and students taking part in the Presidential Scholarship Competition are encouraged to apply. Although we give priority to these students, we will consider all students who apply to the program. Quincy students and transfers who have completed 30 semester hours with a 3.4 GPA are also invited to apply for the program. Our honors students are curious, motivated, committed to excellence, willing to accept challenges, active participants in discussions, and the sort of people who enjoy learning. They share intellectual curiosity and a commitment to excellence.

Why should I join the Honors Program?
Join us, and join a community of scholars dedicated to education that moves beyond the classroom. True, the Honors Program does have some nice perks; and, yes, the Honors Program looks great on a resume, but you should aspire to be in the Honors Program because you know that education is more than sitting at a college desk. Education is an active, life-long process. You will look forward to the diversity of colloquia, the challenge of the honors classes, and the special interest of the honors electives because they prepare you for a life of learning, leadership, and service.

Are honors courses harder than regular courses? Will they hurt my GPA?
Honors courses are different from regular university courses in that they encourage students to think more critically and creatively about issues and ideas in their approach to learning. The courses may also require more work and honors faculty have high expectations for their students. As for your GPA, the faculty understands that with a class full of bright students, there will be no “normal” distribution of grades. You are not guaranteed a high grade, but you should receive the same level of grades that you do in other courses.

What honors electives have been offered in the past?
While there is no standard set of honors electives, past elective courses have included: The War Within: America’s Battle over Vietnam, The Book of Genesis, The Self and Other, Making Fun Seriously, Geometric Dissections, and Hollywood History.

How do I apply?
Contact Dr. Michael Lopez-Kaley, the program director, and ask about honors at Quincy University. The director can be reached by phone at 217-228-5432 ext. 3200 or by e-mail at lopezmi@quincy.edu.