Harvard University Announcement

[Dede Dalmeida McMillan]

Below is an announcement that was made over the weekend. I called Harvard University this morning and confirmed. Please pass on to individuals who may benefit from this opportunity.



Harvard University Announcement

Harvard University announced over the weekend that from now on undergraduate students from low-income families will pay no tuition. In making the announcement, Harvard's president Lawrence H. Summers said, "When only ten percent of the students in elite higher education come from families in the lower half of the income distribution, we are not doing enough. We are not doing enough in bringing elite higher education to the lower half of the income distribution."

If you know of a family earning less than $60,000 a year with an honor student graduating from high school soon, Harvard University wants to pay the tuition. The prestigious university recently announced that from now on undergraduate students from low-income families can go to Harvard for free... no tuition and no student loans!
To find out more about Harvard offering free tuition for families making less than $60,000 a year, visit Harvard's financial aid website at: www.fao.fas.harvard.edu/ or call the school's financial aid office at [phone] .

SEND TO SOMEONE WHETHER THEY CAN USE OR NOT. THEY JUST MIGHT KNOW SOMEONE WHO CAN.

[Dede Dalmeida McMillan]

Dee Mondo's reply via email

Althea

Thanks for the information. As always, I enjoy receiving your informative emails. However, I am no longer a proponent of having minority undergraduates attend universities where the minority population on campus is really low like at Harvard, etc

I think it is not healthy for minority students to spend the four years of their undergraduate education being subjected to an educational environment where the minority population is very low. Because a high-quality social experience on campus during a student’s four-year undergraduate studies is key to a successful educational experience in my opinion.

I think a successful educational experience should encompass all of the following (1) quality faculty body (2) great financial aid package, and (3) the ability to maintain full-scope interaction with fellow classmates across all social classes and races (both on campus and off campus)

But that’s just me. Anyhow, that is a good financial package for low-income familes though. If anyone has another take on this, please let us hear of it.

DEE

Ps. I understand that the financial aid packages is for low- income families which can be either a white family or a minority family. But all the low-income families that come in contact with falls into the minority family category so it why I am speaking entirely from a minority family perspective. Again if anyone has another take of this, please let us hear of it.

[Dede Dalmeida McMillan]

Althea's reply via email

Tell me about it. I agree with what you say. I am a witness. At the university of Minnesota, I was almost always the only black person in class but guess what, this one is FREE. FREE GURL!!! This is also a reputable University. You can’t beat that. LOL



Althea

[Dede Dalmeida McMillan]

Precious reply via email

Dee, so you have strong feelings about this one....OK
I am still laughing.

Thanks for sharing your opinion and making my day.

[Dede Dalmeida McMillan]

Dee Mondo's reply via email

I agree with you that the free tuition package at Harvard, a reputable university seems attractive.

However, success in society requires a well-rounded educational experience which must include high-quality interactions with fellow classmates across all social classes and races, both on and off campus.



Because at the end of the day, it is not a free education to a reputable university that will guarantee a student his/her share of the American dream. But instead, it is his/her ability to maintain full-scope interactions ( i.e. quality friendships) with fellow classmates across all social classes and races that will guarantee a student his/her share of the American dream.



To put another way, it is not what you know or where you get your degree from, that will get you over the hump in life/society but instead it is who you know, that will get you over the hump in life/society.

And I don’t think that a campus like Harvard where there is a really low minority population provides an adequate amount of social expereince to minority students, which is critical for sustaining long-term success in society.



Again this is just my opinion.. Althea, I see that you coming strictly from two perspectives which are the (1)financial aspsect -- i.e. free tuition and (2) the univerisity reputation in society. Which is okay too.



We will like to hear from others who have attended univerisities where the minority population on campus is really low.

[Dede Dalmeida McMillan]

Dee Mondo's reply via email

Yo Precious what up. thanks for checking in. I am glad I made your day. That what I do best. Anyhow you know what they say laughter makes the soul feels good

I will holla at you later

[Dede Dalmeida McMillan]

Rose's reply via email

I am not trying to start a long discussion but I respectful disagree; even though I believe that this is a healthy discussion that will definitely get people thinking. This is my opinion, I am not a Harvard alumni nor do I have any affiliation with a special interest group.


I believe "students of color" should definitely take advantage of this opportunity because of several reasons; 1) It is FREE 2) For centuries environments like Harvard and other elite schools have been close off to legitimate smart group of students (however you want to refer to them as "minorities", "students of color" etc.) because of lack of financial support and other reasons 3) Schools like Harvard have always and continues to produce a small group of people who control what goes on in the US and major parts of the World 4) If "" students are not given the opportunity in these environment to make changes or make our voices heard then it is a disservice to society 5)"" students are smart and just as capable as any other group of students; therefore we should put ourselves in situations where we not only challenge the status quo but rewrite them, I can go on and on but my point is - it may start with one or two but eventually there will be a group of "" students that will bring issues to the forefront that by themselves in nature are difficult and can only be tackle by a group effort. Also, there are a group of elites who have always controlled money and power distribution for no good reasons (I am sure someone somewhere could come up with some) and by no divine birth rights has held a group of people back. I would even go as far as saying that I see it as some kind of restitution for slave labor (totally far fetched) and the total disconnect from what the true understanding of having an educated workforce is; society will always benefit. I want to implore any "students of color" or "minority students" who this opportunity meet their needs to go for it because the system has failed many by the lack of economic and educational opportunities that could afford them the opportunity to make informed decisions. Also, the more of us that we find in places of power (I know there are a few rotten apples) the more say we'll have in decisions that eventually affect our daily lives.


It is time that people move beyond the thinking that education is due to a selected few rather than a critical enhancement to society.


Peace,
Rose.