Point Park University

For the 2007-08 academic years, undergraduate tuition is $18, 460. Tuition for Conservatory students is $21,420. Room and board are $8,440 and student fees cost about $530.

We understand that choosing a college can be a complex decision. We believe that you should have the opportunity to select the college that best suits your needs and interests, regardless of your financial situation. Point Park University has made a commitment to offering outstanding academic and co-curricular programs while keeping tuition and fees affordable for students and their families. We want you to know that nearly all our students receive financial assistance. Last year more than $60 million in financial aid was awarded to our students. Our Office of Financial Aid coordinates a variety of both merit and need-based financial assistance programs to make it possible for full-time students to take advantage of the educational opportunities at Point Parks. Scholarships, awards, grants, loans, and employment are available from several of federal, state and institutional sources. Please contact the Office of Admissions at (412) 392-3430 or 800-321-0129 to receive an informational brochure about financing your Point Park education. Financial aid awards for full-time students at Point Park University are determined on the basis of academic achievement, community service, artistic or athletic talent, and financial need. Financial need is the difference between what it would cost for you to attend Point Park University and how much you and your family can reasonably be expected to contribute to those expenses. Point Park University develops a financial aid budget that takes into consideration direct costs (tuition, fees, room and board) and indirect costs (books and supplies, travel, and personal expenses). Your expected family contribution is determined through a standard called federal needs analysis methodology, which measures a family's ability to pay for higher education. The FAFSA is the form used to collect data needed to perform needs analysis. To determine a student's financial aid eligibility, the university subtracts the student's expected family contribution from his or her budget and awards funds available through federal, state, and institutional aid programs.

Point Park University is an independent, four-year coeducational institution located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, one of America’s most dynamic cities. Its central location means that students are just minutes away from internships opportunities, entertainment and sports venues. Point Park’s growing, yet compact, campus includes the University Center, housing the Point Park University library, the new television studio and cinema and digital arts classrooms and labs; Academic Hall, with classrooms, laboratories, a newsroom, computer center and administrative offices; Lawrence Hall, a 21-story building with dance studios, classrooms, student lounges, recreation center, cafeteria, administrative offices and dormitory rooms; and Thayer Hall, home of the Point Park Children's School and additional dormitory rooms. The Playhouse of Point Park University is a multi-theater complex which serves as the educational arm for the University's Conservatory of Performing Arts. The University’s expansion includes a newly open dance studio building adjacent to Lawrence Hall and, in addition to its existing dorms, two downtown buildings just two blocks from campus featuring suite housing for students. Both cultural attractions such as the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Three Rivers Arts Festival, and the Three Rivers Regatta and sporting events featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Penguins are within walking distance of campus.

The Point Park University facilities include the library, whose collections include 125,000 volumes, over 650 DVDs, musical CDs, and videos, subscriptions to 274 print periodicals and newspapers, 34 periodicals and newspapers on microfilm, and access to over 17,000 serial titles through online databases. University facilities include engineering technology, science and computer labs, a television studio, black and white and color photo labs, the Program for Academic Success, dance studios, and a radio station. Performing arts majors gain practical experience at the landmark Playhouse of Point Park University. In recent years the University has embarked upon a major renovation of its facilities, including new science labs, a state-of-the-art color television studios and digital film editing suites. It has also upgraded classrooms, the residence halls, dining facilities, and the overall physical plant. The addition of F. Tracy Henderson Alumni Park and the Academic Hall Atrium has brightened the campus while providing students with more places for study and relaxation. A major renovation project was completed in 2005 when the Lawrence Hall façade and lobby were restored to their former glory. The 21-story Lawrence Hall, which houses classrooms, offices, dorms, the recreation center and other University facilities, was opened in 1928 as a health club, later becoming a hotel. This first phase of the Lawrence Hall renovation included creating a street level bookstore, restoring a series of Gothic arched window openings, and updating the building’s infrastructure and building connectivity with the dance studio complex. Point Park University is an institution that utilizes green principles as it renovates. The University’s new dance studio complex, which connects to Lawrence Hall, opened in August, 2007. One of the distinguishing characteristics of this project is that the new dance studio reflects an environmentally friendly design. The dance studio complex is located in the footprint of three buildings on the Boulevard of the Allies next to Lawrence Hall. The 14,400 square foot space features cushioned, non-slip floor, glare-free lighting and the latest audio and visual equipment, in addition to a 60’ x 60’ performance area with a master control room, dressing room, and sound isolated lighting and editing equipment so performances can be taped and broadcast. One of the most exciting aspects of college life for many students is the opportunity to live on campus. The University’s residence halls have been filled to capacity (600) during the past few years. To provide additional housing, the University entered into an agreement with a developer converting several former Wood Street office buildings into suites and apartments. Opened in the fall of 2006, Pioneer Suites and Conestoga Suites house approximately 120 more Point Park students and are located just a block from campus. The residence halls at Point Park mean easy access to classes, dance studios, student lounges, the library, the recreation center, and the excitement of downtown Pittsburgh. More than 30 percent of full-time students reside in campus housing, which, in addition to the Conestoga and Pioneer Hall suites, includes the 10-story Thayer Hall and the 21-story Lawrence Hall. Contact the Residence Life Office at (412) 392-3824 with any questions. The Recreation Center is open year-round and offers fitness training, intramural sports activities, and informal recreation. It is staffed by a recreation professional and student personnel who are available for individual and group programming. All activities sponsored at the Recreation Center are coed and free to participants. Point Park is continually seeking ways to empower the region by partnering with various community organizations. Partnerships include the Guest Artists-in-Residence Program with the Pittsburgh High School for Creative and Performing Arts, which brings distinguished artists in dance and theatre to work with students at both institutions. As part of its popular Summer in the City program, the Point Park has partnered with Radio City to become the only university in the nation to host the Rockette Summer Intensive program. The University’s Gerald E. McGinnis Distinguished Lectureship Series, which is open to the public, brings in high-profile speakers who will enrich campus life of Point Park as well as that of the general community

Point Park University encourages students to enrich their educational experience through course work overseas. Trips to Europe at affordable rates are arranged Occasionally by Point Park University faculty for University credit. Students may also take classes at Regent's College in London, Wells College in Paris and. The American University in Rome. At Regent's, which is located in the heart of London, courses are taught American-style by British instructors, and credits may be transferred to Point Park. At Wells, courses are available in all forms of dance, and most fine and studio arts, including photography and music. The American University offers a board selection of courses in the arts and sciences and business courses, with some fine and studio arts courses available, including photography. Fees at Regent's and at Point Park are approximately the same; students who register for courses at Regent's are fully eligible for state and federal financial aid. For further information, please contact Elaine Luther via email at eluther@pointpark.edu or by phone at (412) 392-3947.