BEREA, Ky. — Thanks to donor support, Berea College is reducing the cost of education for students by funding individual course fees for the 2024-25 academic year.  

The college said course-specific fees range from as low as $10 to as high as $150 and furthers its mission of covering all tuition costs and meeting additional funding needs except what the government requires.

According to its website, 77% of Berea's fall 2024 incoming class will attend at zero cost, with the college covering all tuition, housing, food and fee expenses. Covering course fees such as labs and travel ensures students can graduate with little or no debt, the college said. 

"We are committed to continuously improving our financial-aid model, ensuring all students receive as much financial aid as possible," said Berea College President Cheryl Nixon.

Berea College has paid for students' tuition since 1892 to enhance accessibility for those who cannot afford a college education. More than a century ago, it began depositing money and real estate in bequests of supporters into its endowment, allowing the college to cover tuition and additional costs, in addition to state and federal grants. 

Endowment earnings also allow Berea College to fund unique opportunities such as paid internships for all students, it said.  

"I am so incredibly proud of the work Berea College does to provide financial aid at the maximum level possible, and I want to thank the many people on campus who are working to provide clarity around Berea College’s financial-aid model,” Nixon said. “We will continue to improve our financial-aid model by working on innovative funding — like this year’s funding of course fees — whenever and however possible.”

Berea College has a student body of more than 1,400, with students coming from 45 states and 70 countries.