How to get a $106,000 college education for free

(MoneyWatch) 

How would you like to go to a private liberal arts college that will give you a full-ride tuition scholarship for four years?

Sounds crazy? Actually, I'm serious.

Antioch College in Yellow Spring, Ohio, is waiving the tuition for all its students, who enroll in the next three years.

How much are these freebies worth? The value of the free tuition for the current year is $26,500. The scholarship, based on that price, makes each scholarship worth at least $106,000.

Some students, who file financial aid applications, will capture an even greater price break. If they qualify, they may get to skip the room and board charges or pay a reduced price. Antioch's room and board is currently $8,628.

Why so generous?

Obviously, it's unheard of for a college to offer free tuition to its all students. There is, however, an explanation for the generosity.

Antioch is crawling out of the grave. Antioch College, which was originally founded by abolitionists in 1850, shut its door in 2008 after years of decline. Terrible management decisions, among other reasons, led to the closure, but tremendous financial support from dedicated alumni, who were appalled at the closure, led to its rebirth.

Antioch welcomed 35 students into its inaugural freshmen class in 2011 and it hopes to welcome another 65 to 75 students in the fall. The school's goal is to have about 300 students attending the school by 2015.

"We are a 160-year-old start-up institution with a lot of history," says Cezar Mesquita, Antioch's dean of admission and financial aid. The college wants to make an investment in hard-working, engaged students, "who can help restart this great institution."

Antioch had always been known for its work cooperative program and that tradition has returned. All students will have numerous work opportunities during their four years that include, local, national and international experiences. At this point, the school offers 12 areas of concentration ranging from environmental and health sciences to languages and social sciences.

Academic profile of Antioch students

The inaugural class, which hailed from states throughout the country, had an average unweighted high school GPA of 3.56 and an average ACT score of 27, which is roughly the equivalent of a 1250 on the SAT.

If you're a high school senior, there is still time to apply! Antioch's admission deadline is Feb. 15. 

NOTE: This post on Antioch College generated so much interest that it crashed the school's server on Friday. If you can't reach the website, try the school's Facebook page.

Antioch College image courtesy of Flickr user elycefeliz.

[MabelDodge]

The college had a long and distinguished history until it was put out of business by a bunch calling themselves Antioch University. Any student who wins admission will be blessed as the experience at Antioch College has always been extraordinary.

[joe1022joe]

Antioch College is a prime example where the faculty, administraction and consequently the students swim in a "liberal soup." If you want to make certain that your child is indoctrinated in liberal (and I mean wacko liberal) principals, then send them to this school. Of course, there are many, many other colleges and universities that do the same thing.

[karek40]

And they will have to continue to provide a free education to support this liberal inbreeding, a responsible parent won't pay for garbage.

[sallychicago]

Do you think this will start a trend? Are you listening president Obama -- free education!

[train99]

There must be some catch. I don't really get it.
Anyone have an opinion?

[yaduh]

there is a HUGE catch that this article fails to mention, which is that ANTIOCH COLLEGE HAS NOT YET EARNED IT'S ACCREDIDATION BACK!!! that's right, all these kids going to college there aren't earning an accredited degree....yet. from what i understand, they hope to earn this back in the next few years.

[hypnotoad72]

yaduh -

*bingo*

[erichsh]

Another way to get that free education is to keep participating in the OWS riots until someone finally caves in and writes you a check.

[GramE45387]

URGENT: Please do NOT confuse Antioch University with Antioch College. This article is about Antioch College an undergraduate College , which is NOT affiliated with Antioch University, a graduate University with 5 campuses in Yellow Springs,OH; Keene,NH, Seattle, WA and Los Angles and Santa Barbara, CA.

To get the correct information from Antioch College about this article call 937-767-2341. Their website is www.antiochcollege.org

I live in the city where both are located, so this is true information I am giving you about this article . Do NOT call Antioch UNIVERSITY, call Antioch COLLEGE.

[ohionavy]

Be careful before you send your kids to this collage. I have never been to a more liberal campus in my life.

[Jaylah54]

You say that as thought it's a bad thing.

[sylvacat]

I am a libertarian hard and true, which in a nutshell says your rights extend to where my rights begin. Why would you be warning folks about a "liberal campus" Afraid folks may learn to think for themselves? This country was founded by folks who thought for themselves. I make no apologies for this statement. Antioch is a wonderful school and Yellow Springs a great little town. I no longer live in Ohio but years ago many a summer day was wasted in Yellow Springs and Antioch always had some of the most respectful and intelligent students of any campus I have ever been on. And I have been on many a college campus.

P.S you spelled college wrong

[antoniof123]

Abolitionism is a movement to end slavery.

They should adhear to this and continue to look to the future to solve the problems of the future never try to find the answers in the past it only leads to death.

Hope they make it.

[Roddy_Powers]

What does this mean ?

[hypnotoad72]

So that's why ohionavy called the school "liberal"! Maybe he's against abolition...

[KPeters_from_UK]

Oh no! Don't let Rick Santorum know.