Recession leads to rise in aid appeals

After an increase in student financial aid appeals, the university will step up efforts to get funding for students who may not be able to afford tuition.

This year, financial aid appeals rose between 25 and 30 percent, said Sarah Bauder, the student financial aid director. Much of the increase has been attributed to the struggling economy: parents losing jobs, the weak housing market, shrinking 401(k)s and falling home equity have all been cited as reasons for needing financial aid.

The university has "dramatically" increased the ongoing fundraising by looking for a larger number of smaller, one-time gifts, said Brodie Remington, vice president of university relations.

Remington said they are telling donors, "[Do] whatever you can do right now, and hopefully the economy will bounce back."

The new focus comes in response to a decline in large monetary gifts and endowments, which are long-term donations, Remington said. The new push will stress the impact of giving smaller gifts until the economy rebounds.

"Given the economic problems of the times, the students' needs have increased," Remington said. "We are doing the best we can to reach those needs as best as possible."

In a change of approach, Remington said university relations personnel are going to use real stories of economic hardships students have faced and how scholarships have lightened their financial load to attract donors.

Employees are also trying to improve technology to reach alumni across the nation and globe.

"Right now, we are stepping up our effort to contact donors and secure gifts for financial aid," Remington said.

Remington said fundraising for financial aid has always been a priority for university relations. Of the four areas the university is raising money for in the $1 billion Great Expectations Campaign, the university has earmarked $350 million for financial aid, the highest amount. The university is halfway to that goal but still wants to increase the push to help students.

"We are stepping up the effort in the context of the larger campaign," Remington said.

Bauder said students who cannot find the means should not have to worry about having to drop out of school because of finances. She said all appeals will be reviewed.

"The university will find means to help students stay in school," Bauder said.

The economy is expected to impact the number of enrolled students, said Barbara Gill, the assistant vice president of undergraduate admissions. The university will try to award more scholarships and respond sooner to admitted students to retain them.

The university also expects fewer out-of-state students to enroll in the university in the fall because of the cost, Gill said. Out-of-state tuition cost about $23,076, including a technology fee, for the 2008-2009 school year.

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