Virginia’s independent colleges pushing affordability at Private College Week

Twenty-four independent colleges in Virginia will welcome prospective students and parents to their campuses July 30-Aug. 4, to demonstrate how private colleges can be affordable.

Among the participants is, for example, University of Richmond, which will hold twice-daily information sessions during the annual Private College Week, sponsored by the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV). Admission representatives will show how private colleges can be affordable for families of all income levels.

As a bonus, students who visit at least three of the 24 participating Virginia colleges during the week may apply at no charge to any three of the colleges. High school guidance counselors and college consultants also can earn three application fee waivers for their students by visiting three of the colleges.

During Private College Week, participating colleges will host two daily programs for rising high school juniors and seniors, their families, and prospective transfer students, unless otherwise noted on CICV’s website, http://www.vaprivatecolleges.org The p.rograms will include a campus tour and information session about admission, financial aid, academic programs and extracurricular activities.

According to Nathan A. Crozier, UR’s director of admissions was quoted in a news release as saying. “For instance, Richmond is one of only a few colleges and universities in the nation to offer need-blind admission and a commitment to meet 100 percent of an undergraduate student’s demonstrated financial need.” Last year, Richmond awarded nearly $65 million in financial aid to undergraduates, he added.

CICV has launched a new website, http://www.vaprivatecolleges.org that ,provides information about the quality and affordability of Virginia private colleges. It addresses many of the myths concerning private higher education and its costs. The user-friendly website also helps students identify which Virginia private colleges might be good matches for them.