Welcome to the first issue of our quarterly e- newsletter!
Through an electronic newsletter, we can share more student stories (with video!), update you on the latest policy and college news, and direct more resources to students through lowered expenses.
Please enjoy learning more about our 10 member colleges, their students, and our commitment to protect and increase student aid.
ICW member colleges support veterans
Independent Colleges of Washington was one of several organizations to sign on as partners for veteran supportive campuses at a ceremony in the state capitol rotunda Sept. 10. Dr. Roy Heynderickx, president of Saint Martin’s University, signed the agreement on behalf of ICW.
“It is now our turn to serve our service members and their family members and help them reach their academic goals,” said Heynderickx.
"Other signatories of the “memorandum of understanding” include the state Department of Veterans Affairs,
Governor Chris Gregoire,
the state Military Department,
the
State Board for Community and Technical Colleges,
the Council of Presidents,
and the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.
"The partnership is a pledge that colleges will do whatever they can to support returning vets in their academic pursuits as they go from boots to books, from combat to college, and that they promote a culture that supports and understands the unique needs of veterans and their family members.
"Independent colleges strongly support veterans, and nearly all of the members of ICW have signed on the Yellow Ribbon program in the post-9/11 GI Bill program.
You can also watch the entire ceremonyon TVW.
Fall numbers are in and remain positive
Financial aid budgets at member colleges increase at twice the rate of tuition
Net tuition is 8.6% lower than five years ago
Enrollment is up and remains strong this fall
There’s been a fair amount of ink spilled and pixels expended recently about college enrollment and tuition. The College Board sparked the latest round of tuition talk with the release of its annual reports on tuition and financial aid in October. As has been widely reported, tuition and fees at public baccalaureate colleges and universities are up 6.5 percent over last year, and at independent colleges the increase is 4.4 percent.
This is reinforced with what the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities found in a survey of its membership earlier this year, which put the average tuition increase at private colleges at 4.3 percent, the smallest in 37 years. Independent colleges boosted their financial aid budgets by nine percent, according to the survey.
The 10 members of Independent Colleges of Washington raised tuition and fees 4.9 percent, on average. They also boosted their financial aid budgets by 10.2 percent. In all, ICW members will give more than $245 million of institutional financial aid to students this year. Ninety percent of students receive aid.
It’s important to keep that commitment to financial aid in mind. NAICU points out a fact from the College Board report that isn’t getting much coverage: inflation-adjusted net tuition—the true price students pay after financial aid—has actually dropped by 8.6 percent at independent colleges over the last five years.
Amid all of this, enrollment looks pretty good this fall. The Associated Press reported last week that, despite the sharp tuition increases, lots of students turned up for classes at the public institutions. ICW members’ enrollment rose by a little over 2.5 percent, which is a bit higher than their typical growth of one to two percent. Interestingly, there was a boomlet in transfer students, which are up 7.7 percent. Clearly, the institutions’ commitment to financial aid, and good investments in grant aid from the state and federal governments, have helped keep a rigorous independent higher education affordable for everyone.
Pay it forward – Education Matters!
Did you receive a scholarship when you were in college? Could you have benefitted from a college scholarship? Did someone make a difference in your ability to attend college? These are all good reasons in this season of giving thanks to pay it forward by creating a scholarship fund for deserving students attending one of ten independent colleges in Washington state.
Click here to learn how you, your family or business can create a scholarship fund that will help students today or in perpetuity through an endowed scholarship fund. Education is still the best investment we can make!
Latino & Transfer student initiatives
ICW on tour with guidance counselors
Statewide outreach to high school counselors spreads word of transfer student information and spanish translations of ProjectOpportunity.net
Chadd Bennet and Greg Scheiderer of Independent Colleges of Washington spent the last two weeks of September at a series of 10 workshops put on by the Washington Council for High School-College Relations. It was a chance for high school guidance counselors and college admission counselors share information about what’s happening on their campuses.
One of our main goals for the tour was to share information about our college planning Web site, ProjectOpportunity.net, and the news of our latest updates for transfer students and for Spanish-speakers.
Transfer students are one of the fastest growing incoming populations at our member colleges.
But navigating the transfer process can be confusing for students unaccustomed to terms such as DTA, MRP, and AAS-T. The Safeco Foundation, in providing a grant to ICW, recognized that developing information and outreach to students about transferring to a four-year college or university is an important step in raising bachelor degree attainment in Washington.
Similarly, the Ben B. Cheney Foundation supplied funding for outreach and high school students, including Spanish translation of the content for high school students and thier parents. ProjectOpportunity.net/Spanish (or www.UniversidadOpportunidad.net) is a college planning guide for high school students, with calendars, deadlines, information about the application process, standardized testing, financial aid, and the other mysteries that sometimes trip up students and families when they’re considering college.
ProjectOpportunity.net/UniversidadOpportunidad.net also includes information about our member institutions and reasons students should consider them: small classes, rigorous high-quality academic programs, and cost. Yes, cost; 90 percent of students at Washington ’s independent colleges receive financial aid that brings the net price within the reach even of those students of the most modest means.
We initiated a survey through which users can give us feedback, and over 50 have given us feedback (a great response). Any Washington student over 13 who fills out the on-line survey can also enter to win either a college bookstore scholarship or a Kindle! So check it out, learn about Washington colleges, and maybe get a little help paying for your education.
And our most important resource at Independent Colleges of Washington, our Students
Financial aid is more than just numbers on a spreadshhet or budget - scholarships and grants transform lives.
Dont take our word for it- students are happy to tell you what a difference student aid makes!
We are filming and producing short video clips as we visit member colleges for other meetings. If you have contact with a student who would represent the mission of Independent Colleges of Washington and might be interested in a short interview, please email chadd@ICWashington.org
Governor Gregoire proclaims October as Independent Colleges of Washington Service Month
Over 500,000 hours of community service from students, faculty, and staff recognized
The colleges and universities that are members of Independent Colleges of Washington share a mission-driven commitment to service, stewardship, and justice in the world, and students, faculty and staff of the colleges do hundreds of thousands of hours of volunteer service in their communities each year. In recognition of these valuable contributions, Governor Chris Gregoire has proclaimed October to be “Independent Colleges of Washington Service Month” in the state.
Dedicated college volunteers help thousands of Washington agencies and organizations achieve their goals in education, human service, mentoring, environmental cleanup and protection, literacy, veterans affairs, and justice. An increasing number of college courses include a public service component, and many students who receive a well-rounded liberal arts education at one of Washington ’s independent colleges opt for careers in public service fields.
Colleges have been coordinating service projects since students began returning to campus in August.
Gonzaga Universityreceived a $5,000 grant that will help volunteers and mentors teach kids about nutrition and provide healthy snacks through the university’s Campus Kitchen project. Across town, Whitworth University celebrated the 10th anniversary of the school’s Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement. Hundreds of students participated in Community Building Day in late September, and other service projects continue throughout the year. University of Puget Sound students participated in the Pierce County Hunger Walk and the Trick or Canning food drive. At Pacific Lutheran University, students and staff went “Into the Streets” to learn about service agencies in the Tacoma area. Whitman College students assisted with the Harvest Festival at the Walla Walla Children’s Museum, . At Seattle Pacific University the women’s volleyball team hosted a “dig pink” fundraiser for breast cancer awareness, after last month’s successful CityQuest (photo above).
Saint Martin’s University students helped the sisters of St. Placid Priory clean up their grounds, and helped Lacey’s Woodland Trail Greenway Association with a planting day. Over 500 Walla Walla University students braved a torrential rain to lend a helping hand at over 60 different service projects in the community.
The colleges and universities that are members of Independent Colleges of Washington share a mission-driven commitment to service, stewardship, and justice in the world, and students, faculty and staff of the colleges do hundreds of thousands of hours of volunteer service in their communities each year. In recognition of these valuable contributions, 
Seattle, WA 98101