As indicated in Table 2, 77% of these students are dependent on financial aid in order to gain access to higher education. Nevertheless, according to a study conducted by the Public Interest Research Group, nearly 40% of all students who borrow money for financial aid graduate with what is deemed "unmanageable" debt levels.
Table 2
Institutional Financial Aid DistributionFall 2007Fall 2008
% Received any Aid77%76%
Average Aid Disbursed3,0593,089
% Received Federal Grants256%55%
% Received State Grants230%31%
% Received Institutional Grants231%31%
% Received External Grants211%10%
% Received Loans/Self Help276%80%
% Received Tuition Waiver29%6%
% Received Athletic Awards28%9%
Likewise, recent data indicate that 80% of KSU students received either loans or some form of self help. Self help represents a critical component of KSU's efforts to bridge the affordability gap for low income students, and those students are typically classified as minority. Table 3 provides a listing of the current tuition and fee structure that is associated with attending Kentucky State University.
Table 3
Tuition and Fees (Annual)
Fall 2007 Fall 2008 Full-Time Undergraduate1Change
Resident5,320 5,6927.0%
Non Resident12,490 13,4908.0%
Full-Time Graduate2
Resident5,400 5,8508.3%
Non Resident12,600 13,6808.6%
Resident175 1908.6%
Non Resident415 4508.4%
On-line Programs240 2608.3%
Per Credit Hour Graduate
Resident265 32522.6%
Non Resident665 76014.3%
On-line Programs300 3258.3%
Room and Board6,340 6,3920.8%
The institution has made significant and critical investments in its efforts to reverse the national trend and more effectively address affordability from a “needs-based” perspective. For example, KSU has developed and implemented the Breds Pledge Program for students matriculating at Kentucky State University. Students who are PELL eligible, with less than $3,000 expected
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