The University of Dayton will welcome about 1,700 first-year, first-time undergraduates for the 2024-25 school year with move-in Aug. 16, and the first day of classes Aug. 19. 

The incoming class is academically strong, diverse; and marks a record for the 22% of students who are eligible for the federal Pell Grant, financial aid available to students with lower incomes. UD also will welcome an additional 200 new undergraduates entering the UD Sinclair Academy or entering UD as veteran, part-time and transfer students.

"The rise in enrollment of Pell Grant-eligible students shows our commitment to making the highest-quality education more accessible, especially for students from the Dayton region," said Jason Reinoehl, vice president for strategic enrollment management. "Our signature partnerships and investments in key programs are opening new doors, and our enhanced student support is driving higher retention, ensuring more students graduate on time."

The first-year class brings exceptional academic achievements, including record-level high school GPAs and college entrance exam scores. The class is also geographically diverse, represented with students from 36 states and 36 countries.    

Among the new students are 40 Flyer Promise Scholars and 18 Kessler Scholars. Now in its eighth year, Flyer Promise removes financial barriers and offers support and leadership opportunities to Pell-eligible students. In its second year, the Kessler Scholars program provides financial aid, academic guidance, mentoring and more to first-generation students in the UD Sinclair Academy. The Academy offers dedicated financial aid, guaranteed academic pathways, advisors on both campuses, student success mentors, and access to UD clubs, the library and the recreation center.

The University's commitment to affordability through programs like Kessler and Flyer Promise has gained national recognition. UD was named a high flier by the American Talent Initiative, a coalition of colleges and universities nationwide with high graduation rates working to recruit, enroll and graduate more lower-income students. 

UD is moving to intentionally reduce the size of the undergraduate student body during the coming years in response to changing demographics and to ensure the university can serve its Marianist mission of holistic education. The University also is working to enhance student support to ensure every undergraduate receives deep mentorship and meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities before they graduate.

"These students are key to the strong future we're building at the university," Reinoehl said. "We are impressed with their record of successes and resilience so far, and we're excited to see the contributions they'll make to our campus, to our community and beyond."

For interviews, contact Meagan Pant, associate director of news and communications at mpant1@udayton.edu or 937-212-2979. Students also will participate in Zero Waste Move-In to recycle cardboard, styrofoam, plastic and other hard-to-recycle materials in partnership with Rumpke. Last year, volunteers collected 1.86 tons of cardboard at move-in.