“Williams College, the richest liberal arts school in the U.S., is reducing its cost by 15% for families on a one-time basis for the coming academic year and canceling sports competition and travel for the season as the coronavirus upends higher education.The changes come ‘in recognition of the extraordinary circumstances and of this academic year and the uncertainty we face in the year ahead,’ the Williamstown, Massachusetts, school said in a statement Monday.Tuition, room and board for the 2020-2021 academic year will be $63,200. Family contributions for students receiving financial aid will also be reduced by 15%.‘This reduction recognizes the fact that the pandemic and associated challenges are requiring us to cancel winter study as well as fall athletics competition and many student activities, among other opportunities that we usually encourage families to expect as part of their student’s education,’ school President Maud Mandel said.” …
It will be interesting to see if others follow suit with COVID tuition reductions. Harvard and Stanford have not made any concessions or dispensations which is regrettable.
Bates students are pushing for a tuition reduction. 500 students have signed a petition demanding a reduction based upon the COVID restrictions and online format as being proposed by Bates. This may be the tipping point for many schools that have been raising tuition without fail for years.
Looks like a large percentage of students have opted to be on campus. With the reduced tuition, increased fin aid contribution, and option to live in campus housing, these accommodations seem to have made the situation easier for the largest number of students with limited resources. Glad to see NESCAC schools stepping up to take care of their first gen students during a moment of significant financial burden.