Lyon College launches new tuition discount program for area students

Lyon College has announced the creation of a tuition discount program for area high school graduates.

The “Backyard Access Plan” is for students “…to receive a world-class education close to home for much less than it would cost them to attend an out-of-town college or university,” the college said in a release on Friday.

“Lyon College has a rich tradition of serving Independence County and our region for the past 150 years. Lyon alumni are our teachers, principals, business professionals, physicians, dentists, veterinarians, medical professionals, attorneys, and church and community leaders,” said Dean of Admissions Tommy Newton.

“Many of today’s students and parents do not realize that one of the nation’s best private colleges is located right in their backyard,” Newton said. “With the Backyard Access Plan, we’re hoping to change that perception and to let area students know that a high-quality Lyon College education is within their reach.”

With Lyon College’s Backyard Access Plan, area students who wish to lower their higher education costs and commute from home have an option to go straight into a four-year bachelor’s program out of high school.

The release said the program will also benefit transfer students at two-year colleges such as the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, Ozarka College, and Arkansas State University-Newport.

For the amount of a full Pell Grant and the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship for the current year, students graduating from high schools in 16 area districts can commute to Lyon College for zero out-of-pocket tuition costs.

Commuter students who qualify for a portion of a Pell Grant or no Pell Grant are only charged tuition in the amount of a full Pell Grant plus the amount of the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship for the current academic year, the college said.

“If you receive a full Pell Grant and the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship, we cover the rest of your tuition,” said Lyon College Executive Director of Financial Aid Tommy Tucker. “But even if you don’t receive any or all of those funds, your net tuition will be no more than those amounts combined. In other words, all Backyard Access Plan students will receive the same great Lyon College Scholarship.”

Fees, books, and supplies are not included in the cost of tuition.

Participating schools include Batesville High School, Southside High School, Bald Knob High School, Bradford High School, Cave City High School, Cedar Ridge High School, Concord High School, Heber Springs High School, Highland High School, Hillcrest High School, Izard County Consolidated High School, Melbourne High School, Midland High School, Mountain View High School, Newport High School and Tuckerman High School.

“Commuter students enjoy the many benefits of Lyon College, including academic programs in more than 20 disciplines, as well as pre-professional programs leading to careers in education, law, medicine, physical therapy, and more. They’ll also have access to all student life activities, the outdoor adventure program, all athletic events, the library, the campus clinic—everything residential students experience at Lyon College,” Tucker said.

“Not only does the Backyard Access Plan cut down on tuition costs, but students can also take advantage of commuting to Lyon College from their family’s home, right here in beautiful north Arkansas. They’ll be home for family events, home-cooked meals, church services, and local job opportunities. Plus, they’ll be able to share their hometowns with their Lyon College friends. Best of all, they will have the benefit of learning from Lyon College’s award-winning faculty in an intimate classroom environment. They won’t have graduate assistants teaching their classes in large lecture halls.”

Area students who would like to live on campus will receive a Backyard Access Plan resident grant of $3,750, which will bring their annual room and board (meal plan) cost to only $7,000, according to the school.

“This is substantially lower than room and board at many out-of-town colleges and universities,” Tucker said. “We want to give our local students who want to experience residence life an affordable opportunity to participate.”

Area students interested in the Backyard Access Plan should submit their free application for admission to Lyon College at lyon.edu/applynow.  Students should also complete a free application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA) and/or add Lyon College to their FAFSA application and visit with a Lyon College admissions representative to discuss their future at Lyon College.

For more information on the Backyard Access Plan,  students can get in touch with Tommy Tucker at Thomas.Tucker@lyon.edu. For more information on Lyon College admissions, students can contact Tommy Newton at Thomas.Newton@lyon.edu or call (870) 307-7000.

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