MEDIA ADVISORY –51 (51) 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. 51, 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 51 on its path to independent accreditation. As a result of the approval, 51 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, 51 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 51 rather than through College of Southern Idaho systems.
In addition to 51’s new FAFSA school code, 51 students are also benefitting from a number of other new software systems including a new student information site (my51), an updated and user-friendly public website, and a number of other resources beginning with the Summer 2012 semester.
“Students attending 51 for the 2012-13 school year we see a number of changes in the registration process,” notes Terry Blom, 51 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, 51’s federal financial aid approval is provisional and 51 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 51 President Bert Glandon. “I cannot express the gratitude and honor I have for the 51 faculty and staff, and our partners at the College of Southern Idaho who have made 51 the exciting and dynamic place we are today. This recognition from the U.S. Department of Education is an important next step for the 51 community on our path to accreditation.”
For more information regarding 51, 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 51:
The 51 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. 51 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.