New York Times blog applauds UNC's economic diversity

After her mother died during her senior year of high school, Ezie Ozoma had to apply to UNC independently.

Ozoma doesn’t know what she would have done without the Carolina Covenant Scholars program, which relieved a lot of her anxiety about paying for college.

“It was just nice, especially with everything that had just happened,” said Ozoma, a sophomore pre-nursing major. “I’m not exactly sure what I would do if I had to worry about paying for school and everything else.”

The Carolina Covenant program, which promises a debt-free graduation to eligible low-income students, plays a crucial role in UNC’s affordability. Earlier this week, UNC was ranked the third most economically diverse college among the nation’s top schools by a New York Times blog.

The next public university was the University of Virginia at No. 49.

The study ranked schools with a graduation rate of at least 75 percent by calculating a College Access Index ? a number was based on factors including the share of freshmen receiving Pell grants and the cost of attendance for low- and middle-income families.

Since 2008, the share of incoming students receiving federal Pell grants at UNC has gone from 13 to 21 percent.

The average cost of attendance for low- to middle-income families included tuition, fees, room and board. It also took federal, state and institutional financial aid into account.

UNC’s net price from the 2012-13 school year was $7,600 — the 14th lowest on the list.

Steve Farmer, vice provost for enrollment and undergraduate admissions, said he is proud to see recognition of the work that has been put into UNC’s affordability.

“We’re proud that as a public university, we believe in excellence for the many and not just for the few,” he said.

He said he thinks the environment and attitude on UNC’s campus makes a difference.

“Students come here expected to be treated fairly and to be welcomed into a community where they’re valued for who they are,” he said. “I hope we’ll get better at that over time.”

Farmer said the opportunities UNC affords to low-income students benefit the University as a whole.

“The presence of so many talented students on our campus — who maybe have come from a different path to get here — makes everyone better,” he said.

Jenyth Sullivan, a junior anthropology major and Covenant scholar, said she was willing to do whatever it took to go to UNC.

“I was very determined to accept any debt I would have to take in order to get my education,” she said.

She said it was scary knowing the financial burden of college would rest solely on her shoulders.

“It’s an immense relief to be here not having to consider the debt that could be facing me once I leave,” she said.

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