Serenity Williams embodies the importance of affordable higher education, not just as a scholarship recipient at Slippery Rock University but in her work supporting her fellow students on their financial path to pay for college and achieve success.
“I’m a first-generation college student, so without the financial aid and scholarships that I’ve received, I definitely wouldn’t be here today,” said Williams, a sophomore psychology major from Johnstown (Ferndale HS).
Wiliams can identify with many of the students she assistants through her on-campus job working in SRU’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Approximately 85% of students receive some type of aid. This may come in the form of scholarships, grants, loans or work-study.
Williams, a highly involved member of the campus community, is a recipient of an SRU Achievement Scholarship, a form of financial assistance offered to the highest-ranking applicants at SRU. As Williams has seen in her work in the Financial Aid Office, SRU offers a variety of scholarships for a variety of things.
“Scholarship aren’t just for new college students, they’re also available for transfer students, and there are lots of options depending on your major, which I think is very unique to SRU,” Williams said.
SRU offers one of the most affordable pathways to a college degree in Pennsylvania. Tuition for in-state students is less than $8,000 per year, and total cost of attendance is around $23,000 annually for Pennsylvania undergraduates.
With all the financial aid options that SRU offers, students and their families don’t have to do extensive research or crunch numbers to know what their cost of attendance will be. Williams said that at SRU everything is upfront and streamlined, especially using resources like the net price calculator and online tools to compare SRU to other institutions.
“When I was deciding where I wanted to go to school, SRU had everything laid out very clearly in terms of financial aid offers. I knew what I was going to be paying and what was being offered, so that made it really easy to plan with my family,” Williams explained.
Williams also mentioned all of the campus amenities that are offered to students at the University’s low tuition price.
“I took advantage of the Student Success Center and the Success Coaches when applying for my job at the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, and they make it really easy to get the help that you need to learn how to be a professional and to interview well,” Williams said. “I also think that things like the health center and the recreation center being available to all students is important when it comes to making college affordable. Here at SRU, you’re supported financially and there are services in place once you’re here that help you to succeed.”
More information about the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships can be found on the office webpage.
