Speaking of the first Jesuit schools, the Jesuit historian Fr. John O'Malley once wrote:
One of the special features of the Jesuit schools was that they were open to students from every social class. This was made possible by Ignatius’s insistence that, in some fashion or other, the schools be endowed, so that tuition would not be necessary. In their ministries he wanted the Jesuits to minister to anybody in need, regardless of social status or socioeconomic class. Regarding the schools, he specifically enjoined that they be open to “rich and poor alike, without distinction.”
Consistent with that mission is the newly formed Arrupe College, a junior college affiliated with Loyola University Chicago. Arrupe College will open its doors in the Fall of 2015 to 100 students. The National Catholic Reporter recently interviewed the College's dean and executive director, Fr. Stephen Katsouros. Katsouros shared a bit more about the student profile:
Our students will all be commuters, who also qualify for Pell Grants and state aid due to financial eligibility. Each student will receive a small scholarship from the university. The university will cover the overhead and the college will be able to get assistance from different parts of the university, like the admissions office, security, the health and wellness group, and so on.We expect that the students will work at a job for 20-25 hours a week and they will contribute $1,700-$1,800 towards their tuition. In addition, we are seeking grants and gifts from foundations and individuals.
In 2015, we will have 100 students, and in five years we expect to have 400 students total, or 200 per academic year.
For the rest of the interview, see here. And for further information concerning the origin of Arrupe College, see this Chicago Sun-Times interview with Fr. Michael J. Garanzini, S.J., President of Loyola Chicago.
