Liberty offers special WRAP session for families

Liberty University invites prospective students and parents to meet with University officials during a special WRAP Session (Within Reach And Personal) at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24. Liberty University joins 24 other undergraduate private colleges across Virginia in offering this session, which will focus on reassuring families that even during times of economic uncertainty, Virginia private colleges remain within reach financially and provide a valuable, personal education.

The WRAP Sessions, sponsored by the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV), will focus on alleviating some of the tuition stress felt by families and include a presentation aimed at dispelling some common myths about the cost of a private college education:

1. Myth: Tuition at a private college is beyond reach, and a state school always costs less.
Reality: Many students pay considerably less than the published tuition price at a private college. The difference between public and private college tuition is far less than many families assume, thanks to significant merit- and need-based grants and the Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG). Last year, private colleges awarded more than $270 million in grants and scholarships.

2. Myth: It’s easy for a high-income family to afford a private college education. It’s much more difficult for a middle-class family.
Reality: Now more than ever, private colleges are protecting their financial aid budgets and enrolling students from all income levels. In fact, national studies have shown that students attending private colleges, on average, have a similar family income as those attending public colleges. In Virginia, private colleges enroll a higher percentage of federal Pell Grant recipients (typically students from families with incomes of $40,000 or less) and minority students than public colleges.

3. Myth: Public or private college — it doesn’t make any difference.
Reality: Parents should compare the time it takes to graduate as well as overall graduation rates, class size, student/faculty ratio, and personal attention received by students. Private colleges will rank favorably.

4. Myth: There will be less assistance from government sources.
Reality: Last month, Governor Kaine’s proposed budget protected funding for the undergraduate TAG award, which provides an annual grant of $3,200 to Virginia residents attending a private college in the state. Furthermore, federal loans and grants are unlikely to be affected by the recession.

Recently, Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. said, “The weakening economy has not weakened the quality of a private education at Liberty University. Liberty is strongly positioned to continue to prosper in these difficult times and is committed to using all of its resources to make a Liberty University education affordable for students and their parents.”

For more information, go to the WRAP Session web site.

To participate in the WRAP Session at Liberty University, please contact the Visitors Center at (434) 582-2064 or by email at visitorscenter@liberty.edu.