Senator Alexander joins President Lowry to unveil <em>Access Lipscomb </em>programs

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Lipscomb University President L. Randolph Lowry unveiled Access Lipscomb—three new tuition-saving initiatives for traditional and non-traditional students—during an on-campus event today featuring remarks by U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.). The initiatives allow eligible U.S. military veterans to attend Lipscomb tuition-free, provide full scholarships for qualified community-college students and help eligible students to obtain their degrees in three years.
 
“Access Lipscomb provides students with savings ranging from $2,500 to full tuition,” Lowry told the community college leaders, military officials and Lipscomb student leaders assembled for the announcement. “We are committed to expanding the opportunity for a Lipscomb education to traditional and non-traditional students from all backgrounds. Increasing access and affordability with programs like Access Lipscomb is a way to achieve that goal and respond to community education needs.”
 
“A three-year college degree is not for every student, just as a hybrid car is not for every driver,” said Senator Alexander, a former U.S. secretary of education and president of the University of Tennessee. “But for some well-prepared students, earning a degree in three years can save both time and money. And finding new ways to connect community colleges to Lipscomb’s four-year degree, as well as making tuition free for veterans, will help cut college costs. Lipscomb is on exactly the right track in looking for ways to make it more convenient and less expensive for students to earn a degree.”
 
Alexander greets Dr. MaryLou Apple, president of Motlow State Community College.
Alexander greets state Rep. Beth Harwell.
Alexander greets Melissa Baker, a military veteran attending Lipscomb.
In February, Senator Alexander suggested at a conference hosted by the American Council on Education in Washington that to deal with rising costs “colleges should offer some well-prepared students the option of a three-year baccalaureate degree, cutting one-third the time and one-fourth the cost from a college education.” The Senator also suggested making community college tuition-free, citing a program in East Tennessee in which counties and businesses make up the difference between government scholarships and the cost of tuition for any qualified local student.  
 
Access Lipscomb features three new initiatives:
 
  • Through its Veteran Scholars Initiative, Lipscomb intends to match dollar-for-dollar the federal government aid provided through the Yellow Ribbon G.I. program, allowing eligible military veterans and their family members to earn an undergraduate Lipscomb degree tuition-free. In addition, Lipscomb will designate veteran liaisons in its student services, counseling and career centers.
  • The Community College Initiative establishes a full-tuition Trustee’s Scholarship for one student from each of the Tennessee Board of Regents community colleges and a new $2,500 scholarship for eligible community college students who transfer with a minimum of 30 credit hours. In addition, Lipscomb has established a streamlined process for accepting community college credits.
  • The Three-Year Education Plan adds the option of earning a bachelor’s degree in three years. The three-year plan requires classes during two summers resulting in a $10,000 savings and the opportunity to enter the workforce or pursue a master’s degree a year early. 
 
Lipscomb University delivers a complete liberal arts education characterized by an integration of Christian faith and practice with academic excellence, preparing each student spiritually, intellectually, socially and physically. Students at Lipscomb University can earn a bachelor’s degree in 90 fields of undergraduate study, several pre-professional programs and an accelerated adult degree program for those who wish to complete their undergraduate degrees in the evening. Lipscomb also offers 13 graduate degrees in 27 fields of study, including a doctorate degree in pharmacy.