Questions about Independent Colleges including legislative or other issues?

Ask AICUO President, C. Todd Jones for the answers.

Would you like to ask AICUO President C. Todd Jones a question? Just e-mail your question to asktodd@aicuo.edu

What is the expected level of the Student Choice Grant in 2008-2009?

As of today, we expect the grant to be $615 for 2008-2009, which is $45 per year below this school year. The difference is related to the fact that the legislature appropriated the same total amount of money for 2007-2008 and 2008-2009, but the number of eligible students is projected to increase. The amount is $285 below the authorized level for the Student Choice Grant program as a result of the cuts made in Ohio’s biennial budget this year.


The actual amount could change if there is not the expected increase in students next year, or the increase is larger than projected, or in an unlikely scenario, the legislature chooses to appropriate more money in its “budget corrections” bill next year. The amount will likely be set in the spring term of 2008.

Would you like to ask AICUO President C. Todd Jones a question? Just e-mail your question to asktodd@aicuo.edu

Previous questions:

Why should independent colleges be involved in any state plans?

Independent colleges, by virtue of their nonprofit status, are operated in the public interest. Just as public hospitals serve their communities in the public interest under their independent nonprofit boards, so too do independent colleges serve their students and their communities. Museums, food banks, and other public nonprofit enterprises are integral parts of state and local government plans. Governments work collaboratively with their independent boards and leadership. Private colleges should be no different.

If the economic success of the state is related to increasing the number of college graduates in Ohio, it makes no practical difference if those graduates come from public or independent institutions. Both public and private colleges must be a part of any government higher education policy.

Independent colleges are the original colleges, which were followed later by public “land-grant,” community, and technical colleges. They are as integral to the state as any other home-grown institution. Moreover, because seventy percent of independent college students are citizens of Ohio with nearly identical economic-demographic profiles, their students are no less appropriate recipients of state aid than those at public colleges. (Indeed, the state's most racially diverse four-year campuses and largest educators of students over age 25 are independent colleges. Any state plans to address minorities and adult learners must include private colleges to be effective.)