Eligible NH Students Can Earn a Four-year Degree without Incurring Debt through the Expansion of the Affordable College Effort (ACE)

ACE awards assist financially needy students attending USNH residential institutions

JUNE 16, 2009 – LEE, NH – The University System of New Hampshire (USNH) plans to expand the Affordable College Effort (ACE) to four years of eligibility this fall, enabling New Hampshire residents with significant financial need to attend one of the USNH institutions for four years without incurring debt for basic college costs. While there are significant financial pressures on students and their families as a result of the economic downturn and on the USNH budget, ACE is viewed as an investment in New Hampshire’s future and the USNH Board of Trustees will likely add the fourth year of eligibility to the program when the budget for the coming fiscal year is adopted at the June 25 meeting.

“Hundreds of New Hampshire residents with significant financial need have benefitted from this program over the past three years, and without this program they may have not attended at all. By including this fourth year of eligibility, we can help make sure that the Affordable College Effort is in place to enable these students to complete their education without incurring debt for basic costs,” said Ed MacKay, the USNH chancellor-elect.

The ACE Awards were established in 2005. They help New Hampshire residents attending a residential USNH institution as a full-time freshman within one year of graduating from high school and for which the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is under $1,000. Combined with other grants, institutional aid, and Federal Work Study funds, eligible students have had all of their direct costs of attendance covered. Those direct costs include standard tuition, fees, room, and board.

In three years of operation, 587 ACE awards have been made to 406 eligible students at Keene State College, Plymouth State University, and the University of New Hampshire. The awards have varied in size and make up the difference between the direct costs and other forms of financial aid (excluding loans) that these students are eligible to receive. Awards have ranged between $4,700 and $5,500 a year.

“As New Hampshire’s public university system, we have a commitment to provide access to quality education for all citizens in the state. Through the Affordable College Effort, we can help our neediest citizens realize the dream of earning a college education, and this investment will bring dividends to these students, their families, and the state,” said Ed Dupont, chair of the USNH Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees meets on June 25 to approve budgets for USNH for the 2009-10 fiscal year. The expansion of ACE has been approved by the Board’s Financial Affairs Committee and will be included in the overall budget proposal trustees will consider at that meeting. More information on ACE and links to the admissions offices at Keene State College, Plymouth State University, and the University of New Hampshire can be found at http://www.usnh.edu/initiatives/ace.shtml.

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