Local college announces free tuition for eligible Pennsylvania students

BEAVER FALLS, Pa. — As Geneva College celebrates its 175th anniversary, the Beaver County institution is launching the Geneva Tuition Promise.

The promise ensures that all eligible Pennsylvania students from families with income less than $70,000 annually will pay no undergraduate tuition, starting with the incoming class in the fall of 2024. To be eligible, a student must have a complete application for admissions by March 1, 2024, have official residency in Pennsylvania, and be eligible to receive any amount of Pell Grant.

“We are a small Christian institution; we’ve been in Pennsylvania a long time offering deeply biblical and rigorous college education,” said Willem de Ruijter, who is the VP of Enrollment & Marketing at Geneva College.

The faith-based college comes with a sticker price of just over $32,000 a year for Pennsylvanians.

“The campus has been great for student-athletes, but a lot of people don’t even consider Geneva because of the cost of it,” said Robert Landsbach.

Landsbach is a lifelong Beaver Falls resident. He sees the challenges that come with education costs and is excited that Geneva College is making a big leap to help the students and keep more kids local.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Landsbach said.

“I think a lot of colleges and universities are thinking about affordability in state, out of state. Hopefully, we can be part of a movement of colleges that are demonstrating we are thinking of the cost of education,” de Ruijter said.

Geneva is also advancing affordability for students. Beginning in the fall of 2024, the highest achieving academic students can receive up to $20,000 annually, totaling $80,000 over four years, an aid increase of over 14% toward the completion of their degree.

Learn more about Geneva here.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

©2023 Cox Media Group