The University of Richmond has long distinguished itself from its peers by being one of a few U.S. institutions that combine need-blind admission with a guarantee to meet 100% of demonstrated need.

UR’s latest program aimed at making a Richmond education accessible is its No Loan Program with Richmond Public Schools.

RPS graduates who qualify to attend UR can do so with grant aid, meaning they won’t have to take out student loans to cover the cost of attendance.

Richmond Public Schools and the University of Richmond recently announced the program. 

“We know that the thought of taking out loans may create anxiety for families, particularly among first generation students,” said University of Richmond President Ronald A. Crutcher. “The University of Richmond and the City of Richmond want to retain our best students in the region, and the No Loan Program will further that effort.”

RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras said, “The word ‘equity’ gets thrown around a lot in education, but real equity requires real dollars. And that’s exactly what UR just put on the table.”

The University of Richmond and Richmond Public Schools already partner on a number of programs. UR offers RPS specific admission and financial aid workshops. UR Bonner Scholars and students from the Jepson School of Leadership Studies’ Justice and Civil Society class volunteer with RVA Future Centers.

“RPS students who attend Richmond will find that staying local doesn’t mean they only have local experiences,” said Stephanie Dupaul, vice president for Enrollment Management. “Our financial aid awards are only part of the story. We also guarantee funding for faculty-mentored research and internships; we ensure that students are able to study abroad; and we provide the pathways for students to successful careers and graduate school.”

Funding for these experiences is available to all students. Every continuing, full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate student can receive up to $4,000 for one approved summer faculty-mentored research or internship experience before they graduate through UR Summer Fellowships. In 2019, the University awarded more than $2 million in UR Summer Fellowship funding. URSF students have studied in 31 countries and 27 states. 

For Virginians who don’t attend Richmond Public Schools, Richmond’s Promise to Virginia, offers a full financial aid package, free of loans to repay, to academically qualified students whose parental income is $60,000 or less. There are no limits on the number of students from Virginia who may participate in Richmond’s Promise to Virginians.

“With these programs and our industry-leading financial aid, Richmond Spiders can worry less about finances and focus on what truly matters: deciding how they’ll leave their mark on the world,” Dupaul said.