Is college for YOU? YeSU!

Many adults who think about returning to school to start or complete a degree don’t even consider Syracuse University as an option. Even though they would love to benefit from SU’s excellent reputation as a world-class institution, they think the cost is too high for their modest income or too academically rigorous for their long-dormant study skills.

University College can make the difference.

At UC, adults who haven’t seen the inside of a classroom in years can return to school part-time, maintaining their jobs and family responsibilities. They can tap their inner resources of knowledge and ability, and discover talents that can be turned into career opportunities. They can find the financial resources to make it happen, and they can earn a Syracuse University degree, though University College.

It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Studies show that a worker with a bachelor’s degree will make over $1 million more than a worker with a high school diploma over the course of their work lives, which typically spans ages 25-64. Workers with college degrees are also less likely to be laid off during an economic downturn.

Here are the stories of three people who never dreamed that they could attend Syracuse University, but found themselves enrolled as part-time students through University College.

• Roxanne Bocyck was a school bus driver who dreamed about going to college, but never considered SU. “I was sure I couldn’t afford SU, but a friend told me that financial aid and grants were available for people like me,” she remembers. Roxanne enrolled at SU at the age of 44 and discovered a world of opportunity. She attended classes part time for about five years, taking advantage of course formats like online, accelerated, and MAYmester classes, and graduated in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree from the College of Arts & Sciences. She now works full-time as a Career Services Representative at Bryant and Stratton. “A person doesn’t have to be rich to attend SU,” Roxanne says. “They just have to believe in themselves.”

• Willis Bunkley, a Vietnam Veteran, lost his job at Carrier Corporation and found himself in a state of uncertainty that he vowed would never happen again. “I enrolled at University College, although I was scared about my chances of being successful,” he recalls. He quickly discovered that the staff at UC was helpful, inviting and friendly. As a veteran who had been out of school for years, he was happy to discover the support services at the Veterans Resource Center. He spends much of his time on campus at the Veterans Lounge, on the third floor of University College. “It’s a place on campus where veterans can interact, share concerns, study, and find answers,” he says.

• Angela Monico’s family couldn’t afford college when she graduated from high school. Years later, after running a business for years, the single mother of three decided to change direction. She enrolled at Broome County Community College and graduated in two years with honors and a degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling. An internship at Tully Hill turned into a job offer for a Senior Counselor position. “I knew that with more education would come more opportunities,” she recalls, so she enrolled at SU part time. “People wonder why I want to work a 40+hour week and attend college in the evening, but this isn’t just about me. It’s about what this education will empower me to do for others,” Angela asserts. “Financially, I never thought I could do it, not to mention how much I underestimated my academic potential. But at the age of 48, I attend SU!”

There are many more stories of individuals who have achieved their goals despite difficult life circumstances and lost opportunities. University College welcomes individuals who want to take their lives in a new direction and need the support to make it happen. Contact us today, and maybe you can be our next success story.

It's Summertime...So Dive in at SU!

There isn’t much you can do about a bad economy, but you can prepare for economic recovery. This is a great time to return to school to start a degree program or finish one you started years ago. Consider these facts about the value of a degree in the professional marketplace:

• Workers with bachelor’s degrees earn more and are less likely to get laid off than those with high school diplomas or two-year degrees.
• Workers with bachelor’s degrees can expect to earn $1.3 million more than high school graduates during their working lives.
• Among people with bachelor’s degrees, those who worked full time in engineering earned the most, while those with education degrees earned the least.
• A master’s degree holder can expect to earn $2.5 million over the course of their working lifetime.

Summer is the perfect time to test the waters if you’re thinking about enrolling in a degree program at Syracuse University. University College oversees all Summer@Syracuse programs—for full- and part-time students—and there’s something for everyone under the sun. Summer classes tend to be smaller than during the regular semesters, giving you greater access to professors and a good opportunity to transition back into the role of student. More than 600 fascinating courses are offered during four summer sessions:

MAYmester May 16-27
Session I May 23-July 1
Session II July 5-August 12
Combined Session: May 23-August 12

If you’d like to learn more about Summer@Syracuse, contact an academic advisor at 315-443-9378 or summer@syr.edu or visit the web site: www.summer.syr.edu.

Oh Say Can UC?

Look for University College at the following events:

WISE Conference
Come and check out our table at the 9th Annual WISE (Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship) Symposium on Tuesday, April 12, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Liverpool. We’ll have plenty of information about part-time study at SU available, and giveaways to share. The conference is a great experience for entrepreneurs—and women who dream of becoming entrepreneurs. Learn more about the symposium at www.wiseconference.com

Information Session at Liverpool Library
On April 13 from noon-3 p.m., University College will host an information session at the Liverpool Library at 310 Tulip Street in Liverpool.

Fort Drum
Military personnel based at Fort Drum can learn about part-time study at University College and SU’s comprehensive support for student-veterans. Attend an information session on April 26 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Fort Drum in Watertown.

Information Sessions at UC
On-campus information sessions will be held at University College, 700 University Avenue, on the following dates. Learn about how UC makes an SU degree affordable and convenient with part-time tuition rates, financial aid, and flexible format courses. If you have children, ask about our child care assistance options.

Tuesday, April 19, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, May 2, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 9, 5:30 p.m.
Friday, June 24, noon

Park in the Lehman lot on University Avenue or in the University Avenue Garage, and bring your ticket stub to UC for validation. Click here to R.S.V.P.

Open House at UC
Save the date! An Open House will be held on Tuesday, June 7th from 5:30-7 p.m. at University College. Learn more about UC, attend min-workshops, meet students and advisors, and enjoy refreshments. More information will be sent to you soon.

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Financial Aid News

Need Funds for Child Care?
Count on Us!
If you’re thinking about going back to school to earn a degree, don’t let the cost of child care stop you. University College maintains the Count on Us Child Care Fund for undergraduate part-time students who can’t afford the cost of child care while they attend classes. You must demonstrate financial need in order to qualify for the grant, and you must complete an application each semester you request funds. The child care provider is paid directly from funds posted to the student’s bursar account.

UC and Syracuse University's Human Resources department have entered into a partnership with Child Care Solutions, a local not-for-profit organization that provides information, referrals, and educational materials to parents who need child care in order to continue their education. For more information about child care information and funding, contact the financial aid office at UC, 315-443-3261.

File FAFSA Fast!
Students can now upload their tax documents to their FAFSA account for the 2011-12 academic year. The instructions are included in the FAFSA application process. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid.