University of the Cumberlands to participate in Kentucky Private College Week this week

 This week, Kentucky’s twenty independent colleges and universities, including University of the Cumberlands, are opening their doors to prospective students and their families for Kentucky Private College Week.  

This is the seventh year that the member institutions of the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU) are working together in a coordinated effort to provide college-seeking high school students an easy way to explore a variety of college campuses during the summer. 

“We want prospective students and their families to experience what makes Kentucky’s private colleges and universities such a great value,” said Mason Dyer of AIKCU, which sponsors the event. “Many people are surprised to find out how attainable and affordable an independent college education can be.”

A single point of registration at the AIKCU website and common visit times at all 20 campuses – 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. (local time) each day – make it easy for prospective students to plan campus visits. Some campuses offer special times to accommodate the schedules of non-traditional students. 

“For busy students and their families, summer is a great time to visit college campuses to begin narrowing their choices,” said Erica Harris, director of Admissions at Cumberlands. “People can tell you how great a place is, but the best way to know whether it’s right for you is to see it–and experience it–for yourself. Time on our campus will include a question/answer session with an admissions counselor and a tour of campus with a student ambassador.”  

The 20 participating campuses serve students from all income levels. Almost four out of 10 students who attend Kentucky’s independent colleges and universities qualify for a Pell Grant, the federal program for students with high financial need. Together, the 20 campuses provide more than $150 million annually in student financial aid and scholarships. 

“The college visit is the most important factor in determining if a campus is the right fit for you,” Dyer said. “Using this opportunity to visit multiple campuses is a great way for students and their family members to begin learn more about what each of Kentucky’s private colleges and universities has to offer.”

In addition to the two daily sessions, select campuses will host special evening information sessions for working adults interested in pursuing a degree. More than one in five students at Kentucky’s independent colleges is at least 25 years old. 

“While non-traditional students are always welcome at all of our campuses, more than half of Kentucky’s independent colleges offer special opportunities for working adults,” 

Not to be overlooked in today’s economy are the ways in which Kentucky Private College Week helps potential students save money. In addition to reducing travel costs by making it easy to combine visits, each visitor receives an application fee waiver (up to a $40 value) for every campus visited during Private College Week.

“Kentucky Private College Week is the perfect road-trip opportunity,” Dyer said. “We have campuses located across Kentucky, from Pikeville to Mayfield, in some of the most beautiful places in the entire country. With the economy keeping people closer to home this summer, we see this as a great chance to see Kentucky while also preparing for the future.”

Campuses participating in Kentucky Private College Week include: Alice Lloyd College, Asbury College, Bellarmine University, Berea College, Brescia University, Campbellsville University, Centre College, Georgetown College, Kentucky Christian University, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Lindsey Wilson College, Mid-Continent University, Midway College, Pikeville College, St. Catharine College, Spalding University, Thomas More College, Transylvania University, Union College and University of the Cumberlands. 

“Our goal, of course, is to showcase all of the opportunities available to students and to give them a good picture of what it’s like to be  a student here,” said Harris. “Ultimately, we hope students who visit during the summer will find Cumberlands attractive enough to come back in the fall for a more in-depth look.”

To learn more, visit the Kentucky Private College Week blog at www.kentuckyprivatecolleges.org. There you can register, see videos featuring current students, learn more about participating campuses, get directions, and see the latest news about Kentucky’s private colleges. Or for additional information, call University of the Cumberlands at 1-800-343-1609 or the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities at 502 695-5007.