Wilmington College Reaching Out to Urbana University Students
April 28, 2020
Wilmington College is reaching out to Urbana University students, both current and prospective, who learned in late-April the central Ohio institution is closing.
The College is offering all UU transfers a $2,000 supplementary tuition grant. Also, some students may be eligible for the financial aid benefits associated with the Transfer Opportunity Initiative and those from Clinton County can take advantage of a loan-to-grant opportunity of up to $10,000 in the institution's Clinton County Succeeds program.
WC also offers flexible policies in dealing with the transfer of academic credits.
Urbana University students have an opportunity to continue their educational pursuits at Wilmington College, with a special financial incentive designed to make their college experience more affordable in these uncertain times, according to Dennis Kelly, senior vice president for enrollment management and chief enrollment officer.
He expressed his sympathy to those affected by the campus closing.
"Our heart goes out to the students, faculty, staff and alumni, all those associated with Urbana University," Kelly said. "While our institutions have competed for some of the same students over the years, both Wilmington and Urbana are part of a collegial kinship comprised of dozens of small, four-year schools in Ohio.
"Dating back to the 19th century, all these institutions have played a vital role in the state's higher education. It's sad when a college is forced to shutter."
Urbana University, which has been a branch campus of the Columbus-based Franklin University since being acquired in 2014, announced it is permanently suspending all operations, including athletics and on-site-administrative roles, at the 170-year-old school in Urbana.
WC is offering a unique opportunity for those having to deal with both the sense of personal loss resulting from Urbana's closing and an interruption in their academic studies, athletic pursuits and co-curricular activities.
Kelly said that, since Wilmington College's posted cost of tuition is $2,000 more than that of Urbana, WC will offer a supplementary grant in that amount to level the tuition cost. Also, many UU students who transfer to Wilmington College would qualify for the financial aid benefits associated with WC's Transfer Opportunity Initiative, since the College is waiving the associate degree requirement. as well as the loan-to-grant awards of up to $10,000 available through Clinton County Succeeds. Eligibility for any or all of these awards is contingent upon their first enrolling for the fall 2020 semester or in January 2021.
The Clinton County Succeeds forgivable loan program previously had been exclusively available for high school graduates from Clinton County who enrolled for the fall semester following their high school commencement. It includes $2,000 in annual loans issued for students’ freshmen and sophomore years, and $3,000 in annual loans for each of their junior and senior years. Upon their graduation from Wilmington College, the students’ loan amount of as much as $10,000 will be completely forgiven.
More information about transferring to Wilmington College is available in the Admission section of WC's website, www.wilmington.edu, or by contacting Heather Miller, senior transfer counselor and assistant director of admission at: heather_miller@wilmington.edu or 937.481.2426.