President’s Column: Committed to Affordability and Attainment
Greetings from Valley City State University!
Here at VCSU, we believe the pursuit and dream of attaining a four-year degree should be affordable and attainable. The cost of higher education is a significant concern and barrier to attendance for many students and their families. As tuition prices rise, finding affordable options for earning a quality degree can seem like an impossible challenge. We believe that VCSU is the ideal location for students seeking a high-quality, affordable education. VCSU offers a range of initiatives – such as scholarships, the Viking Promise, and Stay and Save plans – that make a four-year degree more attainable for students from all backgrounds.
One of the cornerstones of VCSU’s commitment to affordability is its robust scholarship program. In fact, we award nearly $2 million in scholarships annually! We offer a wide range of merit-based and needs-based scholarships designed to help reduce the financial burden of college costs. Incoming students are automatically considered for many of these scholarships when they apply for admission, so there’s no need for additional paperwork or applications in most cases. I encourage you to visit our website for more information.
Some outstanding scholarship opportunities at VCSU include:
- President’s Scholarship: $4,000 per year for four years ($16,000); 4.0 GPA and 26+ ACT score.
- Leadership Scholarship: $2,500 per year for four years ($10,000); 3.65-3.99 GPA
- Clock Tower Scholarship: $1,500 per year for two years ($3,000); 3.05 – 3.64 GPA
- Footbridge Scholarship: $750 per year for two years ($1,500); 2.50 – 3.04 GPA
- Athletic Scholarships: For student-athletes across various sports. These scholarships help talented athletes pursue their passion for sports while getting a quality education.
- Music Scholarships: For talented instrumental and vocal students. These scholarships are awarded based upon talent and departmental need.
- Transfer and Departmental Scholarships: These scholarships are for transfer students and students pursuing specific degrees in areas like business, education, or STEM fields. These scholarships are often tailored to the specific needs of each department, making them an attractive option for students with a clear career path in mind.
One of the most innovative ways VCSU helps students access higher education is through the Viking Promise. The Viking Promise is a continuous effort from VCSU to alleviate the cost of tuition through financial aid and scholarship support. Approximately 95% of ND, MN, SD, WUE, and MSEP students who are Pell eligible have their tuition fully covered thanks to the combination of financial aid, scholarship dollars, and talent-based awards. Students from these states who are full Pell eligible have full-time tuition (12-13 credits) fully covered at VCSU for the ’24-’25 school year.
Our Stay and Save plan provides another way for students to save on the cost of their college education. This program locks in the freshman year room cost and guarantees that those rates will not increase if the student chooses to remain on campus in subsequent years. The savings associated with this program are significant and provide families with the assurance that those housing costs will not increase. Additionally, this program is ideal for students who are looking to minimize living expenses while also making the most of their college experience.
Earning a four-year degree is a dream for many students, but financial concerns can often make that dream seem out of reach. Valley City State University is committed to helping make higher education both affordable and attainable for a wide range of students. Through scholarships, the Viking Promise program, and the Stay and Save plan, VCSU ensures that students can focus on their studies and their future careers, not on how to pay for their education.
Go Vikings!