St. John's University Freezes Tuition, Fees, Room and Board Costs for 2015-16 Academic Year

QUEENS, N.Y., Jan. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- St. John's University announced today that it will freeze tuition and fees, and room and board costs for all current and incoming full and part-time undergraduate and graduate students at its Queens, Manhattan, Oakdale and international locations for the 2015-16 academic year.

For Staten Island students, the University will reduce undergraduate tuition by $10,370 for the 2015-16 academic year and freeze room and board costs and fees. Recent administrative restructuring and the nature of academic offerings at that campus have made this tuition reduction possible. Graduate tuition at the Staten Island campus will remain at current levels.

"St. John's is aware of the significant financial challenges facing college students and their families. We are taking this action in an effort to help alleviate those burdens," said St. John's University President Conrado "Bobby" Gempesaw, Ph.D. "Addressing the rising cost of higher education must be a priority, particularly in view of St. John's mission as a Catholic and Vincentian University that is committed to providing students with an affordable education." 

In addition to this tuition initiative, St. John's has a tradition of helping students by awarding generous financial aid packages to qualified students.  Currently, more than 96 percent of students receive financial aid.

"We have made a firm commitment to reduce expenses, increase efficiency and pass along these savings to our students," Dr. Gempesaw added.  "It is our sincere hope that this initiative will provide students who otherwise would not be able to afford college the opportunity to realize that dream at St. John's University."

The tuition freeze and reduction will take effect beginning with the 2015 pre-summer session in May.  The tuition freeze and reduction will not apply to students at St. John's University School of Law, which has its own tuition structure.

For the Queens, Manhattan, Oakdale, and International Locations:
The tuition freeze will enable current full-time undergraduate students to save the planned three percent tuition increase for the 2015-16 academic year, with a total savings of approximately $14 million for the whole student body. Graduate and part-time undergraduate students will also see an equivalent savings based on the tuition freeze.  For incoming freshmen, the University projects a savings of at least $4,560 on the cost of tuition over the course of four years.

For the Staten Island Campus:
The tuition for all current and incoming undergraduate students will be reduced by $10,370. University financial aid will be adjusted as appropriate.  In addition, the tuition reduction will compound student savings over time.

St. John's is notifying current students and applicants about the tuition initiative this week. Parents and students can find more detailed information at www.stjohns.edu/tuitionsavings.

About St. John's University
Founded in 1870, St. John's is a Catholic and Vincentian university that prepares students for ethical leadership in today's global society. The University has three residential New York City campuses—in Queens, Staten Island, and Manhattan—in addition to a campus in Rome, Italy; an academic center in Oakdale, NY; and study abroad locations in Paris, France, and Seville, Spain.

Students come from 47 states and 116 countries. The University offers more than 100 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in the arts, business, education, law, pharmacy, and the natural and applied sciences. Students also benefit from academic service-learning activities, extensive global studies opportunities, and 17 BIG EAST, Division I men's and women's athletic teams.

SOURCE St. John's University