Providence, RI – Providence College – in collaboration with Rhode Island’s other private colleges and universities who are members of the Rhode Island Independent Higher Education Association (RIIHEA) – will offer tuition-free enrollment to Rhode Island students who were planning to attend schools in the areas affected by hurricane Katrina. These Rhode Island students will be given “in-state special student status” and may attend classes for academic credit at Providence College for the fall 2005 semester.

Students from outside of Rhode Island who enrolled at colleges and universities in the affected areas also may attend Providence College for academic credit for the fall 2005 semester for normal tuition costs. These students will be considered to have “out-of-state special student status” for the fall 2005 semester. However, prior commitments to on-campus residents do not allow Providence College to offer on-campus housing accommodations to in-state or out-of-state students.

 “We have taken these unusual steps to assist students whose academic plans have been significantly disrupted by an unprecedented natural disaster,” explained Christopher P. Lydon, associate vice president for admission and enrollment planning at Providence College . “By the end of the fall semester we will have a better idea of when and if these students will be able to enroll at the schools they originally planned to attend. At that time we will determine what continued assistance Providence College can provide.”

Enrollment for this special student status begins Monday, September 5, from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. and continues Tuesday, September 6, beginning at 7 a.m. Classes for the fall semester begin on September 6.

For more information or to enroll, contact Brian Williams, dean of enrollment services, at (401) 865-2770 or visit Harkins Hall, Room 411 on the Providence College campus. Students must provide evidence of acceptance or enrollment (i.e. acceptance letter, grade report, college ID, tuition bill, etc.) at a college or university in the areas affected by hurricane Katrina.

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