BY DEEJ OSTER
VN CO-EDITOR
Students at the University of Detroit Mercy have differing opinions over the university’s recent announcement that it will cut its listed tuition price from $41,000 to $28,000.
Some think it’s a great idea, while others are unsure how current students will benefit. And at least one high school principal thinks the move will put Detroit Mercy higher on consideration lists for prospective students.
"I think it's great,” third-year biology student Nawrooz Putris said. “It'll really make a difference in getting the youth of the Detroit/metro Detroit area who are struggling to pay for education to broaden their college options.”
The big reset also received attention from high schools in the area.
Frank Accavitti, Principal of Bishop Foley Catholic High School, offered support.
“UDM's decision to roll back tuition shows a clear understanding of the needs of families with college-age students,” he said. “Private, Catholic education can and should be available to all, and this certainly moves UDM up the list for Michigan high school students.”
Michael Kostuch, second-year business major, shared his support as well as concern.
“I wish they would have done a better job with regards to letting the student body know what was happening with scholarships, grants, and financial aid,” he said. “I don't think one or two emails was sufficient in relaying that particular information.”
A number of students felt that they were not supplied with enough information on the topic to be either in support or against the matter.
Virtually, no students attending UDM pay the full tuition costs. With an assortment of accessible scholarships and financial aid, the university has always found ways to make education affordable.
The consensus with those interviewed was that the new “sticker price” will help draw in more students to consider UDM as an option.
For any seniors or recent graduates who felt slighted by the new lower price, Deborah Stieffel, the university’s vice president of enrollment management and student affairs, had this to say:
“You were never paying too much, as the new students coming in aren’t going to be paying appreciably more than you did or less than you did, it’s going to be about the same”, she said. “So, don’t feel bad, you didn’t miss out on anything; you’re one of the ones that came, looked, saw and took advantage of the financial age that we offer.
“So, thank you for enrolling. We are really glad that you did.”
