Parents can enjoy tuition discount at CMU

Leah Borkowski did not know she was receiving a 10 percent tuition discount while taking Central Michigan University classes until last semester.

It is because CMU’s Board of Trustees approved a tuition rate specifically for parents of CMU students and alumni in April 2009.

Borkowski is the mother of Jacob Wonders, who graduated from CMU in 1997. She has been taking off-campus courses from Sterling Heights since 2004.

“I didn’t know (the discount) was available,” she said. “It’s the best thing for the buck, especially in this economy.”

Borkowski, 55, graduated in December with a Bachelor of Applied Arts and hopes to return to CMU next year to receive a Masters of Science and General Administration.

“I think it’s a unique benefit,” she said.

In order to qualify for the discount, the parent’s child must be enrolled at least half-time or be an alumni, said Pat Davison, director of financial planning and operations for ProfEd.

Follow your child

The idea behind the measure is a lot of parents get excited and interested when their child is preparing for college. It gives parents the opportunity to further their education and stay interested in their child’s education as well.

ProfEd and Off-Campus Programs is geared toward working adults. There are parents who want to earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and can do so with their lifestyle at a lower rate.

The program is already reaching non-traditional students, said Brian Bell, assistant director of financial operations for ProfEd.

“This was sort of a reverse alumni rate,” he said.

This year, the rate is $304 per credit hour for parents compared to $338 for students without the CMU Promise. For graduate level courses, it is $401 compared to $446 per credit hour. The rate may change annually.

Jeanne McCormick, 50, and her son began taking online classes this semester at CMU.  She is taking FNS 370: Nutrition, from Bessemer, Ala., where she moved to last February.

McCormick, a former CMU employee, never thought she would continue her education.

“All this time, I really wanted to go back,” she said. “I’m really happy that I have this opportunity.”

McCormick said it is a nice break to earn cheaper tuition.

Reaching out

Although the idea of a discount may attract parents, the rate is fairly new and not many parents are enrolled.

“There are fewer than 100, but we think that will go up,” Davison said.

Since it was approved less than a year ago, publicity has been limited.

“We definitely plan to do more (publicity),” Davison said.

The parent tuition rate is going to be publicized at freshmen orientation. Parents usually attend along with their future CMU students, and ProfEd plans to promote the rate.

“It should get more recognition,” McCormick said. “It’s a good program.”

However, the rate can only be used for standard undergraduate and graduate programs.

“It can’t be used for specialty programs,” Davison said.

In order to be eligible for the rate, parents must first apply to CMU and be accepted. If their son/daughter drops out of CMU or goes below half-time, the parent then loses the rate, Davison said.

“I think it’s a great thing,” she said. “It’s just a little extra ability to grow in their own way.”