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�þ���Ƶ announced today that, due to the disruption of teaching and standardized testing worldwide caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the submission of SAT and ACT scores will be optional for all fall 2021 applicants to the University.
 
“This is the latest in a series of steps that the University has taken to support the needs of applicants, especially in these extraordinary times,” said Gary Ross, Jones and Wood Family Vice President for admission and financial aid. “�þ���Ƶ continues its longstanding commitment to meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need of admitted students. Further, this year, �þ���Ƶ implemented a no-loan policy for students with family incomes below $125,000. Through this policy, �þ���Ƶ will remove all student debt from the aid packages of qualified students.” �þ���Ƶ has also long waived application fees for qualified individuals for whom such fees are a significant financial burden.
 
The University reiterates these assurances even as it becomes the newest member of the American Talent Initiative, a consortium of elite national institutions working together to educate 50,000 additional high-achieving, lower-income students by 2025. In January, �þ���Ƶ also joined QuestBridge, the Palo Alto, Calif.-based nonprofit that connects exceptional, low-income youth with the nation’s top colleges and universities — a partnership that takes effect this fall. �þ���Ƶ, in addition, will now welcome all first-generation students to take part in First@�þ���Ƶ, a new program designed to support first-generation students as they enroll at �þ���Ƶ and take advantage of everything the University has to offer.
 
“A residential liberal arts education changes lives,” President Brian W. Casey said. “Access to that experience must be open to the brightest students, regardless of financial background. We cannot exclude the middle class. We cannot exclude families with lower incomes. A capacity to learn, a desire to engage in academic endeavors with energy and creativity — these must be of the highest importance on an application to join the �þ���Ƶ community in its third century.”
 
Those interested in learning more about �þ���Ƶ can attend , take a , or email regional admission officers, who are ready to guide them through the admission process.