From the Nominator

"Our pricing and value strategy was developed and launched in 2022 to build trust through transparency among prospective and current students and to enhance recruitment, yield, and retention. 

We want our students and their families to: 

• believe applying for aid is easier. 

• understand we are committed to making an IC education as affordable as possible. 

• know what to expect financially in their next four years so their family can plan ahead. 

• use financial language that is easy to understand. 

• be clear about the benefits of what we are doing. 

Introduced as the Ithaca Commitment, a promise to our students and their families/supporters, this strategy includes the following:   

• Four-Year Financial Forecast—a clear, detailed, four-year overview of a student’s expected college costs and financial aid—so that students and families can see the full cost of an IC education, not just the first year. 

• Streamlined financial aid process and new online aid package that includes the elimination of the CSS Profile for aid consideration and details the multiple types of student aid eligibility. 

• One-on-one appointments with IC’s financial aid experts to discuss the best options for financing an IC education for answering any questions they may have. 

• Free "IC Advantage" course for students, allowing them to take a one-credit summer course free of charge and up to two additional one-credit courses for a small fee. These classes are designed to equip students for a successful transition to Ithaca College."

From the Judges

This is a great example of a financial aid refresh that adds to the university's effectiveness in recruitment, yield, and retention. The initiative is well thought-out and flawlessly implemented. A unique endeavor that serves as a great example for other institutions.