University looks into adding need-blind admissions policy

In the midst of the current economic downturn, universities around the nation are struggling to meet the financial needs of their students. While Tufts has the lowest endowment among its US News top 30 rivals, the University remains committed toward implementing a need-blind admissions policy.

This effort, however, is continuing at a time when other institutions are revoking their need-blind policies because of budget concerns.

In order to make need-blind aid feasible another $100-150 million will be needed in endowment contributions. Tufts administrators are resolute in attaining this goal without affecting tuition costs _ currently rising at 4.5 percent annually.

The proposed need-blind policy would essentially separate the student's application into two separate piles _ one for admissions and the other for financial aid. Admissions officers would only review the admissions application, and a student's ability to pay would have no bearing on his or her chance of acceptance.

By alleviating the distinction among students who can and cannot foot the full cost of a university, students are selected strictly on the basis of their merit. This has the potential to create a more talented and diverse student body, according to Dean of Admissions David Cuttino.

"A need-blind policy would make this place a more rewarding place to study," he said. "It will enrich Tufts' educational environment and increase our ability to interact cross-culturally as adults."

Currently, all Ivy League schools and many of Tufts' rivals have need-blind admissions policies. Last spring, Brown University became the final Ivy to adopt the policy to compete with the pressure between schools, and increase applications and enrollment yield.

The need-blind policy has become a type of marketing tool, Cuttino said. Admissions people use the words "need-blind" to project an image of educational equality _ a perfect meritocracy.

"Need-blind," however, is a misleading term. In fact, many need-blind universities often do not meet the student's full demonstrated need. A student may be accepted need-blind, but may not be able to afford the cost of attending because his demonstrated need has not been met, Cuttino said.

In response to the economic downturn, a few elite need-blind universities _ including Princeton, Yale, Stanford and MIT _ have reduced their criteria for financial aid. This policy is aimed to allow these schools to enroll more of those they accept and to help alleviate families' financial difficulties.

Tufts' approach is to meet 100 percent of a student's demonstrated need. Cuttino feels it is important to first ensure that the University can meet the needs of all entering students rather than to offer admission to students who will not be able to attend.

After a review of all applicants, the admissions committee uses complex financial models to assess who they can afford to accept. In the end, a compromise between need and talent is struck. Only a very small number of students are denied acceptance as a result of their inability to pay, Cuttino said.

Due to the slowing economy, these numbers may be increasing. The number of students requesting financial aid has increased substantially over the past decade. This year, approximately 63 percent of applicants are expected to request financial aid, up four percent from the last two years.

The decline of the stock market has caused some families to lose savings for college. Dallas Martin, President of the National Association of Student Aid Administrators recently told The Dartmouth that "Individual families' earnings and savings have decreased and in many cases, their savings for education has evaporated or been reduced drastically."

As a result, Tufts has taken steps to maintain the quality of the student body. Over the past ten years, the financial aid budget has grown considerably. Currently, 35 percent of students receive financial aid with the average grant now at $16,000, according to Executive Administrator of Finances Wayne Bouchard.

"Ten years ago we were at only ten percent of student charges, we are now at 15.7 percent," he said. "That's a major improvement."

Financial aid still remains the administration's highest priority, Bouchard said, and that it is the one of the better ways to achieve the "best and brightest student body."

In this year's budget, financial aid will be allocated over $27 million from the $230 million estimated operating budget for the College of Arts and Sciences. Yet, compared to the endowments of its top 30 rivals, Tufts financial generosity has raised concerns over our growth and sustainability.

Students wonder whether the administration is spending too much in the area of financial aid. "Although a need-blind policy might enhance the student body in some ways, the expense might constrict the resources available to us," freshman Alex Maloney said.

Additionally, a major decline in government funding for private universities has led many universities to make severe budget cuts. Over the last decade, the Federal Pell Grant has decreased sharply from covering 21 percent to 13 percent of tuitions at private colleges across the US.

Last year, due to over-investment, Dartmouth University was forced to make severe, across-the-board budget cuts. Johns Hopkins University had to rescind its need-blind admissions policy as a result of struggling finances, despite Hopkins' much larger endowment than Tufts at just under $2 billion.

Last year's average university endowment lost value for the first time since 1984, according to the National Association of Colleges and University Business Officers.

On top of all this bad economic reports, Tufts must also struggle with the news that only half of the expected $700,000 Massachusetts Gilbert Grant money will be handed out this year.

These of anywhere between $200-$2,500 are available to participating Massachusetts' institutions of higher education and schools of nursing. The funds must be used for direct financial assistance to needy undergraduate students to enable them to attend or continue to attend such institutions.

Government cuts like this make it more difficult for Tufts to make financial aid available. This prospect looks particularly glum as the markets continue to slide. The economic conditions "make it harder to raise money and close that gap," Bouchard said.

As University President Larry Bacow said in his inaugural address, "If we want to admit students on a truly need-blind basis, we must develop an endowment in keeping with our stature as a university... and we will."

Tufts' ability to achieve a truly need-blind policy will be measured through the determination of this generation of Tufts alums, Cuttino said. "It will be friends of our university that will move us in being need-blind and meeting full need."