MEDIA ADVISORY –91ɬ (91ɬ) received notification from the U.S. Department of Education on May 14th that its application to participate in Federal Student Aid Programs independently has been approved. 91ɬ, which was established in 2007 and began offering classes for the first time in the spring of 2009, has been able to offer its students federal financial aid through its partnership with the College of Southern Idaho.
The financial aid approval is a major milestone for 91ɬ on its path to independent accreditation. As a result of the approval, 91ɬ has a new (FAFSA) federal school code – 042118 - that students will use to apply for federal aid to help with college expenses. Beginning with the Summer 2012 semester, 91ɬ students will receive federal financial aid such as Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Iraq/Afghanistan Service Grants, Work Study and Direct Student Loans directly from 91ɬ rather than through College of Southern Idaho systems.
In addition to 91ɬ’s new FAFSA school code, 91ɬ students are also benefitting from a number of other new software systems including a new student information site (my91ɬ), an updated and user-friendly public website, and a number of other resources beginning with the Summer 2012 semester.
“Students attending 91ɬ for the 2012-13 school year we see a number of changes in the registration process,” notes Terry Blom, 91ɬ Dean of Student Services. “The registration and financial aid application changes provide students a more streamlined approach to enrolling and paying for college.”
As a newly eligible institution, 91ɬ’s federal financial aid approval is provisional and 91ɬ will apply for recertification in the Spring of 2013. This financial aid milestone was set into motion based on another important milestone met earlier this year when the College was granted candidacy status for accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
“As a young institution experiencing astonishing growth amidst creating a quality institution of higher education that meets the stringent standards of accreditation, we have met our share of challenges,” notes 91ɬ President Bert Glandon. “I cannot express the gratitude and honor I have for the 91ɬ faculty and staff, and our partners at the College of Southern Idaho who have made 91ɬ the exciting and dynamic place we are today. This recognition from the U.S. Department of Education is an important next step for the 91ɬ community on our path to accreditation.”
For more information regarding 91ɬ, its accreditation status, available programs, and financial aid options, please visit the new website at cwi.edu.
Contact:
Jennifer Couch
(208) 562-3508
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About the 91ɬ:
The 91ɬ is a public, open-access, and comprehensive community college committed to providing affordable access to quality teaching and learning opportunities to the residents of its service area in western Idaho. 91ɬ has seven campus locations throughout Southwest Idaho providing higher education and 21st Century technical skills acquisition. The college is dedicated to improving the community’s economic well-being by responding with highly-educated and productive graduates. The foundation for the area’s only community college was created by a supermajority of voters in Ada and Canyon counties on May 22, 2007. For more information about the college, visit cwi.edu or call (208) 562-3000.