New program could mean free tuition at Johnson & Wales for some students. Here’s how
Some students at Johnson & Wales University won’t have to sweat the burden of taking out student loans this fall due to a new program that discounts tuition either partially or entirely.
The program, called the JWU Pledge, uses household income to determine the amount of a tuition discount an undergraduate student entering this fall will receive, the university said a press release Monday.
Students from a household with an annual income of up to $80,000 will receive a full tuition discount, while those from a household with income below $200,000 will receive a 60% discount.
Additionally, students must be residents of North Carolina, Rhode Island, Connecticut or Massachusetts, have a high school GPA of 3.2 of higher, submit an application for student aid, and live on campus. Students who are trying to qualify for the full tuition discount must be Pell Grant eligible. The private college has campuses in Charlotte and Providence, Rhode Island.
A combination of university, state, and federal scholarships and grants will be used to offer the discounts, the press release said. The program does not cover lab fees, supplies, books, or room and meal plans, the university’s website says.
The program does not include loans, but families can use loans to cover costs not included in the discount, according to the press release.
“At Johnson & Wales, we are creating pathways to make higher education more affordable, accessible, and attainable for students of all means and backgrounds,” said Chancellor Mim Runey. “This new initiative, combined with our recently launched three-year degree programs, demonstrates the university’s deep commitment to our educational mission of expanding lifelong access to higher education.
This story was originally published January 13, 2025 at 12:32 PM.
