Butler University has announced a groundbreaking initiative to offer a two-year, debt-free associate degree program for students with demonstrated financial need. This program, slated to begin in the Fall 2025 semester, is part of the university's commitment to make education accessible to a broader demographic, including students of color, first-generation college students, and those from low-income households. Butler's president, James Danko, emphasized the university's founding values of inclusivity and accessibility, dating back to its abolitionist roots in 1855.
The initiative aligns with the university's goal to honor its founder's vision of offering education beyond the predominant demographic of that era. The program is made possible through endowments and donations, and in partnership with the Come to Believe Network, an organization that assists traditional four-year universities in creating affordable education programs. This initiative is particularly significant in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to end affirmative action at colleges and universities, a ruling that had previously benefited students of color in higher education.
Butler University's initiative is not the first of its kind but joins similar programs at Loyola University in Chicago and the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, Minnesota, both of which aim to make college more affordable and accessible. The program exemplifies a growing movement in higher education to reduce financial barriers and support students in achieving their academic and professional goals without the burden of debt.
To learn more about this initiative, visit the full article on CNN.
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