Alvernia University

Statistics

Scholarships & Financial Aid

School Says - General Information
Located on a beautiful campus on the outskirts of Reading, Pennsylvania, Alvernia University is a private Franciscan institution rooted in the Catholic and liberal arts traditions. Our core institutional values--service, humility, peacemaking, contemplation, and collegiality--extend from the faith of our Franciscan founders, and have a universal ethical appeal. We honor our core Catholic traditions while respecting and welcoming students, faculty, and staff of many religious backgrounds. Alvernia fosters moral leadership and service to others in the interest of peace and justice locally and globally. We prepare our graduates to achieve their personal dreams and professional success, and to be engaged citizens and lifelong learners. Alvernia has been honored by the Templeton Foundation as one of the top 100 character-building colleges in the nation and a model of excellence in education. In addition, we are regularly named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for our commitment to and achievement in community service.

Our 2,900 total students (1,500 of which are traditional undergraduates) choose from over 600 courses and 50 majors and minors in an array of academic programs in our College of Arts and Sciences and College of Professional Programs. All programs are geared toward real-world learning and preparing students for a rewarding career. Study abroad, internships, and international service trips make classroom learning come alive and allow our students to develop practical skills that are valued by employers around the world.

School Says - Student Body
Alvernia encourages students to take advantage of learning opportunities outside of the classroom by participating in any of our more than 55 student clubs, organizations, and service programs. Learning in college takes place by being involved in curricular programs as well as extracurricular activities. Campus organizations offer opportunities to suit the interests of all students, to meet new people, to learn various skills, and to develop leadership abilities.

Athletics are an integral part of the educational mission at Alvernia University. Students may participate in intercollegiate, intramural, and club-level athletic programs. Intercollegiate teams compete at the NCAA Division III level. With a proud athletic tradition, Alvernia competes in the Middle Atlantic States Athletic Conference (MAC), a highly competitive conference, and is also a member of the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference.

The Office of Student Activities works with the college's many student organizations to provide a calendar of social, cultural, and other co-curricular activities. The Student Government Association provides an opportunity for leadership through the exercise of personal and group responsibility. All students complete approved community service hours as part of Alvernia's commitment to fostering a reverence for the dignity of all life. Our commitment to peace and justice, and a devotion to the service of others, is especially focused on the materially and spiritually disadvantaged of the local and global community.

School Says - Academics
Logical and critical thinking, accurate comprehension, and effective communication are at the heart of Alvernia's academic program. Students' personal development is also highly valued, and the university promotes integrity in academic pursuits, social responsibility, and moral values.

The Genesis Experience Program at Alvernia provides academic advisement for students who have not declared a major. It is an incredible opportunity to dedicate the first few semesters of college to pure exploration of potential fields of study. Through careful examination and counseling, students gain exposure to the opportunities available at Alvernia.

Qualified students may participate in the Alvernia's Honors Program. The Honors Program assists students of outstanding intellectual promise and high motivation who are interested in pursuing future graduate or professional studies or who prefer a more challenging program at the undergraduate level. The program recognizes academic excellence and encourages students to achieve, often letting them work at their own pace. It facilitates a stimulating exchange of ideas and information between students' varied interests and different disciplines. The Honors Program includes co-curricular activities, provides service opportunities, intellectual and social support, and injects significant additional depth in the student's academic program. Honors courses are team-taught by faculty from diverse areas and involve student-led discussions. Students and faculty wishing to do research or explore topics not offered in established courses can arrange independent studies under the direction of a faculty member and often present their work at a departmental seminar.

School Says - Admissions
Our warm Alvernia attitude extends to the ease of applying for admission. Many factors are considered for admission, including academic performance, standardized test scores, class rank, extracurricular activities, and community involvement. Application and admission notification is on a rolling basis; however, applicants are encouraged to submit the admission application as early as possible. In addition to their transcripts and SAT or ACT scores, nursing applicants must also submit two letters of reference.

Alvernia accepts and/or offers special programs for accelerated high school students, non-traditional students (older than 24), transfer students, students with a disability, and international students.

The best way to get to know Alvernia is through a campus visit and tour. Applicants and those considering the school are strongly encouraged to come for an individual campus visit. We will personalize the campus visit to match each student's unique interests. Alvernia also hosts information sessions and open houses throughout the year. They allow prospective freshmen or transfers to meet current students, talk to admissions and financial aid counselors, and meet faculty and coaches. Overnight and shadow visits are also available. We invite you to discover Alvernia.

School Says - Campus Life
Alvernia offers a friendly and welcoming setting that is conducive to learning. Situated on a scenic 121-acre suburban campus in historic Berks County, Pa., the university is bordered by a picturesque park that features hiking trails, a fresh water stream, picnic grove, and a nine-hole disk-golf course. And when students are ready to explore big city life, they'll enjoy our close proximity to urban centers like Philadelphia (60 miles), New York, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., all within an easy drive of the campus.

School Says - Cost Aid
For the 2010-2011 academic year tuition is $24,980, and room and board is $9,300 (an approximate cost based on the highest priced residence hall and an all you can eat meal plan).Ninety-nine percent of students attending Alvernia receive some form of financial aid. Alvernia offers financial aid to students whose personal and family resources are unable to meet the full cost of their Alvernia education. Aid usually comes in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study arrangements. Depending upon their academic record, incoming first-year students may be eligible for one of the following three merit-based scholarships: the Presidential Scholarship ($12,000), the Trustee's Scholarship ($10,000), and the Veronica Founder's Scholarship ($8,000). Applicants interested in financial aid should submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1.

Other Schools To Consider Top Programs