黑料网 has joined the (CCT), a coalition of more than that have voluntarily committed to follow a set of that ensure transparency, clarity, and understanding around student financial aid offers. Together, these institutions serve more than 3.5 million college students in the United States.

鈥淐hoosing to attend college is one of the most significant financial decisions a student or family can make,鈥� says Susan Romano, executive director of financial aid and enrollment management.
鈥淜nowing how much it will cost up front is crucial, and 黑料网 is committed to providing students clear and accurate financial information.鈥�

The commitment comes as lawmakers, think tanks, and government entities continue to scrutinize the financial aid offers that colleges and universities present to students. The principles and standards recommended by the CCT 鈥� a task force composed of the leaders of 10 higher education associations representing college presidents, financial aid offices, and admissions and school counselors 鈥� respond to the needs of students and families in a nuanced and careful manner. 

鈥淪tudents and families need upfront, accurate, and clear information when making decisions about college,鈥� says Peter McPherson, chair of the CCT task force and president emeritus of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).  鈥淪ome standard terminology and clear requirements on what to include in financial aid offers is important. Colleges and universities are committing to give students and families the information they need.鈥�

Moving forward, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) will manage the College Cost Transparency Initiative. This work is generously sponsored by a grant from Strada Education Foundation.

鈥淲e are committed to making sure that students and families get the information they need to make informed decisions about paying for college,鈥� says Justin Draeger, president and CEO of NASFAA. 鈥淚f this project has shown us anything, it鈥檚 that this work is complex, but can be done when institutional leaders and practitioners come together to make college cost transparency a priority. We look forward to continuing to recruit more higher education institutions to the initiative.鈥� 

The principles and standards provide that financial aid offers to undergraduate students:

鈥�    Are transparent, ensuring that costs are understandable for students and families, and include the most accurate estimate possible of a student鈥檚 costs.
鈥�    Describe and explain all types of aid offered using standardized, plain language.
鈥�    Prominently display critical components, such as an estimate of the student鈥檚 total cost of attendance, broken down by costs to be paid to the institution and costs paid to others; types and sources of financial aid being offered, separated into grants and scholarships, student loans, and student employment or work; an estimated net price; and more.
鈥�    Follow U.S. Department of Education guidance regarding referencing Parent PLUS Loans.
鈥�    Provide information about employment requirements and information on job placement if student employment is offered.
鈥�    Explain the terms and conditions and information on how much student loan debt may cost over time if federal student loans are included.

The CCT also recently released a set of that meet the initiative鈥檚 principles and standards for institutions to use in developing or updating their aid offers, and a of common financial aid terms and definitions.

For more information on financial aid offers at 黑料网, visit our website.

黑料网 has been selected to host Camp College, a three-day college-access experience for upper-level high school students, for the next four years. The enrichment program is coordinated by the New York State Association for College Admission Counseling (NYSACAC).

For the next four summers, 150 high school students and professional mentors from across New York State will come to Geneseo for weekend college-prep workshops led by school counselors and college admissions staff mentors, 黑料网 faculty lectures, and other academic and social events. Camp College is free to participants.

"Pathway programs, such as this one, allow students to experience what it's like to be on a college campus and learn more about the college admissions process," says Costas Solomou, vice president for enrollment management at 黑料网. "College access programs are critical to our mission to become the nation's first equity-minded honors college."  

Students participating in Camp College will learn how to navigate the college search, admissions, and financial aid processes, as well as how to find their best fit with the help of a supportive network of counselors and mentors.

NYSACAC is the state affiliate of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), the only professional association composed of members from secondary schools, community-based organizations, colleges, and universities. 

Efforts to support first-generation students at 黑料网 have been given a boost thanks to a $6,000 gift from The Summit Federal Credit Union.

鈥淲hile each student鈥檚 college journey may differ, first-generation students often face unique challenges and obstacles,鈥� says Laurie Baker 鈥�85, president and CEO of The Summit Federal Credit Union and a member of the Geneseo Foundation Board of Directors. 鈥淎t The Summit, we are committed to giving back, and supporting first-gen students is a wonderful way to fulfill that mission.鈥�

The College will use the funds to host events for first-generation students during the 2023鈥�24 year, including brunches on November 8 and March 6 and Grab-and-Go Study Days on December 12 and May 9. These events provide an opportunity for first-generation students to form connections with other people across the campus community who were the first in their families to attend college.

Vice President for Enrollment Management Costas Solomou says more than a quarter of the college鈥檚 overall student body identifies as first generation, and that number continues to grow.

鈥淎s a first-generation college student, I understand the importance of finding a community on campus,鈥� says Solomou. 鈥淚t is my hope we鈥檝e helped people build a sense of pride in being the first person in their family to graduate from college.鈥�

The college鈥檚 inaugural first-generation student celebration in Fall 2022 was well attended by students and staff, including by President Denise Battles, who shared her experiences as a first-gen college student from rural upstate New York.

鈥淚 see people across campus welcoming and helping others as they transition to life in a new community at Geneseo,鈥� says Solomou. 鈥淚t makes me proud to be a Knight.鈥�