VIDEO: “St John’s Ready” Program Cuts Costs for St. John’s University Freshmen
JAMAICA — Starting college can come with plenty of expenses — and plenty of nerves. For St. John’s University freshman Caterina Bootsma, knowing she would not have to pay for required textbooks is one less thing to worry about.
“College for me has been a little bit stressful. The preparations, I get a little bit anxious,” Bootsma said.
But through a new St. John’s University initiative, first-year students are getting required course materials at no cost.
The university’s “St. John’s Ready” program provides free required course materials to about 2,300 freshmen this academic year.
The program covers both digital and physical textbooks, as well as required supplies such as lab coats and calculators.
Scott Lemperle, executive director of Conference and Auxiliary Services at St. John’s, said the university worked with its administration and a donor to make the program possible.
“We had some conversations with administration, and we were able to find the donor to be able to provide the funding for these free course materials,” Lemperle said.
St. John’s, a Catholic university in Queens, says it believes it is the only private university in the area currently offering this type of program to first-year students.
For freshman Joseph Castro, the savings could make a significant difference.
“I’m extremely grateful. I really can’t say enough because even though it may seem small, it’s a big expense when you look at it,” Castro said.
Castro estimates students can spend about $1,300 a year on textbooks and other course materials.
As a pre-med student with plans to attend medical school, he said saving money on textbooks could help him focus on his long-term goals.
“I’m a pre-med student, so I have ambitions to go to medical school. So that money could definitely go towards paying for that,” Castro said.
For Bootsma, the program also means more time to focus on academics and campus life.
“As a student, I don’t have to work to pay off the cost of textbooks. And so I’m able to dedicate my time to my studies, to Catholic scholars, and to the ministry here,” she said.
University officials say the goal is to remove one financial barrier for students before they even begin classes.
“I think it really talks to the mission of the university, and really trying to provide students and setting them up for success,” Lemperle said.
The St. John’s Ready program will also cover eligible required course materials for students during the spring semester.