What’s new with Roanoke College’s published tuition price?
Roanoke College is resetting its published tuition price from $46,510 (Fall 2021) to $33,510 – a 28% reduction – beginning in the Fall of 2022.
Why is Roanoke College resetting its tuition?
Many students and their families make decisions about colleges based on the published tuition price without knowing that generous scholarship and financial aid packages often make the cost of attendance much more attainable. The fact is, Roanoke College offers generous merit and need-based aid to students so that no student pays the full published tuition price. This reset provides clarity and aligns our published price closer to what students actually pay to attend. Our goal is that students consider overall fit rather than just financial fit when selecting their college.
Will current students now pay a lower tuition?
Families of current students can expect to pay the same net tuition price as they currently pay, plus a smaller-than-usual annual tuition increase. Because the tuition base is now smaller, students should see smaller incremental increases over the time of their enrollment. This is a savings over what increases would have been had tuition not been reset. Financial aid packages will be adjusted in line with the new tuition.
How much money will I save with this tuition reset?
Roanoke College has designed the overall new price to ensure that the net tuition students pay starting in Fall 2022 will be less than they would have paid had the College not implemented the reset. For returning students the estimated savings will be evident in the illustrations included in the email sent on Sept. 15. This savings will compound over the remaining time of enrollment: current juniors can expect to save about $450; current sophomores will save approximately $920 and current freshmen can expect to save approximately $1,400.
Why is Roanoke College doing this now?
Roanoke College is financially strong and we are proud to lead the way in publishing a tuition price that is closer to what students actually pay. We know that our published price causes many potential students not to consider Roanoke College. Resetting the price makes clearer the actual price most students pay to attend. Providing a clearer picture of what families actually pay makes a Roanoke College education more accessible to more students.
Why is it called a tuition “reset?”
Roanoke College is simply aligning the published price so that it is closer to what students actually pay to attend.
What is the new tuition price?
Tuition for full-time students attending in the 2022-2023 academic year will be $33,510.
When will this new tuition be implemented?
The new tuition price of $33,510 is effective beginning in Fall 2022, for both new and returning full-time undergraduate students.
Will the new tuition be the same for every student?
Yes, the reset tuition charge will be the same for all full-time students. When merit and need-based aid is considered, students will pay varying amounts, just as they do today.
Will lower tuition mean fewer resources (classes and activities) for Roanoke College students?
No. Roanoke College is financially strong and we will continue our future-focused work. We’ve recently added or expanded academic programs in public health, data science, engineering science, education and management. We’ve introduced new athletics, including men’s and women’s swimming, men’s wrestling and men’s volleyball, and are expanding our men’s and women’s track and field program. We’re investing even more in mentorship, experiential learning opportunities and career preparation through the launch of PLACE, an on-campus center dedicated to helping students find their place through Purpose, Life and Career Exploration.
Were you overcharging students before this tuition price reset?
No. Due to our generous financial aid and merit awards, most families typically pay a much lower amount than our published tuition. A student’s total cost is set individually, and depends upon a number of factors, including their academic profile, family income, family assets, and their competition in a number of scholarship/fellowship programs. Roanoke is resetting, or moving, the published tuition closer to what families actually pay for tuition after receiving financial aid and merit awards.
Will new students pay less than current students?
No. Financial aid packages for new students will be aligned with our new, lower tuition. A student’s total cost is set individually, depending on a number of factors, including their academic performance, family income and assets, and their competition in a number of scholarship/fellowship programs.
Why is there still a discrepancy between the new published price and what I pay after I am awarded financial aid?
A student’s total cost is set individually, and depends on a number of factors, including academic performance, family income and assets, and competition in scholarship/fellowship programs. Financial aid packages will be adjusted in line with the new tuition, and families of current students will pay the same net tuition price as what they currently pay, plus a smaller-than-usual annual increase. On Sept. 15, all currently enrolled full-time students (excluding those who plan to graduate in May 2022) received an email with a personalized estimate of their tuition charges and their Roanoke College aid for the 2022-2023 year.
Can current students opt out of the new tuition?
No. Tuition will be adjusted for all students.
What other steps has Roanoke College taken to make college affordable?
Roanoke College will continue to award generous financial aid through scholarships/fellowships and need-based aid. In addition, the rate of increase on room and board for Fall 2022 will be less than it has been in recent years and the student fees increase is very low.
Will tuition increase after Fall 2022? At what rate?
The Roanoke College Board of Trustees sets tuition and fees each year. Tuition will continue to increase slightly each year as it has in the past. Due to the smaller tuition base, the actual dollar increase going forward will be lower than it would have been had tuition not been adjusted. This is a savings to Roanoke College students. This savings will compound over the remaining time of enrollment: current juniors can expect to save about $450; current sophomores will save approximately $920 and current freshmen can expect to save approximately $1,400.
Will room, board, and fee charges increase?
Typically, room and board charges are adjusted from year to year in order to cover increased costs incurred by the College. Roanoke College leadership is intent on keeping annual increases at the lowest rate possible. For Fall 2022, room, board, and fee charges will increase by 2.5%, or $396. (Note that increases over the past three years have averaged 3.1%.)
What is the total cost going to be next Fall?
A student’s total cost is set individually, and depends on a number of factors, including their academic profile, family income, family assets, and their competition in a number of scholarship programs. On Sept. 15, all students (except for those who plan to graduate in May 2022) received a personalized estimate of Fall 2022 tuition. In early March 2022, returning students will receive their annual estimate of Fall 2022 tuition, fees, room and board charges, less aid from all sources, resulting in their expected payment for the 2022-2023 academic year. At the conclusion of the Spring term after room and board selection, all students will receive a more complete financial aid award letter.
I’m a current student and I did not receive an emailed estimate of my tuition for the 2022-2023 academic year. How do I obtain one?
Personalized estimates of tuition costs for the 2022-2023 academic year were emailed to all currently enrolled full-time students who have fewer than 25 completed credits (all non-seniors). If you did not receive an estimate and you intend to enroll full-time during the 2022-2023 academic year, please reach out to the Financial Aid Office by emailing
finaid@roanoke.edu or calling 540-375-2235 and an estimate will be provided to you
Will Roanoke College still offer financial aid?
Roanoke College will continue to award generous merit and need-based financial aid.
What will financial aid for new students be based on?
Roanoke College will continue to award both merit and need-based financial aid. Merit aid is awarded based on high school academic performance. Need-based aid is awarded as the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are received. Additionally, the College offers competitive awards for which new students may apply.
As a returning student, will I receive less financial aid?
As the published price of tuition has been lowered, Roanoke College financial aid for 2022-2023 will be adjusted accordingly. To simplify the process, most of your Roanoke College awards will be combined together in your estimate of tuition charges, and your financial aid planner. Your net tuition price will be what you are paying now, plus a smaller-than-normal annual tuition increase.
Will I still receive my scholarship?
The vast majority of students will still receive their scholarships from Roanoke College, but the amounts may be adjusted to be in line with the new tuition. Your net tuition price will be what you are paying now, plus a smaller-than-normal annual tuition increase.
Will my campus job/work study/fellowship position be affected by this change?
No. Students who hold work study, campus employment or fellowships will still be able to work as usual.
Will campus job/work study/fellowship positions be available?
All students may hold on-campus work study, campus employment or fellowships.
Will the change in tuition have any effect on my eligibility for federal and or state grant funds?
No. Eligibility for Federal Pell Grants are based on a family’s income and assets, as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (currently $4,000) is awarded to all bona-fide Virginia residents enrolled full-time at a Virginia private college. Federal student loans are available to all students who file the FAFSA.
How does the new tuition level impact outside scholarships?
Roanoke College’s policy on outside scholarships remains the same. In most cases, outside scholarships secured by the student reduce the family’s tuition balance rather than reducing scholarships and aid offered by Roanoke College.
How will my award be visually different due to the price reset?
As noted, financial aid packages will be adjusted in line with the new tuition. Additionally, to simplify your award as we embark on the tuition reset, most of your Roanoke College awards and grants will be condensed into one line on your financial aid award. Going forward, with few exceptions, instead of seeing each individual award on a separate line in your financial aid communications, they will be combined under RC Awards/Grants.
As a current student, should I consider not taking classes this Spring so that I can take advantage of the lower tuition cost in the Fall?
No. Current students can expect to pay what they currently pay, plus a smaller-than-usual annual increase in Fall 2022. Since there will be a smaller-than-usual annual increase in Fall 2022, students enrolled in Spring 2022 will save money in the long term.
I intend to enroll as a new full-time student in January 2022. Should I delay my enrollment to Fall when tuition is reset?
No. The Financial Aid office will work with Spring incoming students to ensure that what they pay in the Spring aligns with what they will pay once the adjusted price is in effect in the Fall. Since there will be a smaller-than-usual annual increase in Fall 2022, students who enter in January 2022 will save money.
I plan to enroll part-time in Spring 2022. How does the tuition reset pertain to me?
Roanoke College is resetting its published tuition price beginning in Fall 2022. Students enrolling part-time (less than three full unit courses) in the Spring 2022 term will be charged using the same pricing model as Fall 2021 (pre-reset). Each full credit course will continue to be $2,224.
How does this impact overload tuition?
The tuition reset affects only full-time tuition. Overload fees will not change.
Who should I contact if I have further questions?
Current students who have questions about their specific aid and cost of attendance should contact the Financial Aid Office at 540-375-2235 or
finaid@roanoke.edu. All other questions should be directed to
pricereset@roanoke.edu.
Who should I contact if I have further questions?
Prospective students who have questions should contact the Admissions Office at 540-375-2270 or
admissions@roanoke.edu.