Midwest schools attempt tuition aid

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As students and families dig even deeper into their pockets for education funding, some universities are extending an offer of assistance.

Oakland University Officials recently announced a “debt-free” tuition plan to help fill in funding gaps for the neediest incoming freshman next fall.

At Wayne State University, officials are setting aside an additional $5.5 million for financial aid, doubling the pool of money available for those in need.

But Central Michigan University currently has no plans for a tuition-assistance program, said Diane Fleming, associate director of scholarships and financial aid.

“I am not aware of any initiative of that nature,” Fleming said. “Most of Wayne State’s students are from the metropolitan areas, which has a very high unemployment rate. They are trying as best they can to make it possible for students to attend there.”

Fleming said Central Michigan University offers automatic merit scholarships for a certain number of incoming students – money given on top of federal and state aid money.

The scholarships are based strictly on high school GPA and ACT scores, she said, though the university does look at a student’s FAFSA information as well.

Mary Beth Snyder, Oakland University’s vice president for student affairs, said the number one concern voiced by parents of prospective freshman is the ability to pull together all of the funding necessary for continued education.

It was this concern, she said, that prompted Oakland officials to create a debt-free tuition plan for incoming students in the fall of 2009.

The plan first looks at the expected family contribution to a student’s education, as evaluated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and then fills in the gap if the contribution amount is less than the cost of tuition.

It is open to transfer students as well, and keeps a door of financial assistance open to students for a full four years.

“With the car companies so close to Oakland we know a lot of families are losing jobs. We thought this would be a good initiative using our dollars,” Snyder said.

Al Hermsen, Wayne State’s director of financial aid, said financial assistance has indeed become more and more of a priority recently.

“There’s more needy students,” he said. “These are students that really want to go to college, but there’s an $8,000 tuition bill standing in front of them. It’s like ‘how do I afford this when a parent’s just been laid off or lost money in the stock market”

The Institute for College Access and Success has a list of more than 50 institutions nationwide that offer financial-assistance guarantees.

The University of Michigan and Michigan State University are on the list.

“Debt can be really limiting after graduation in terms of pressuring students to find high-paying jobs,” said Edie Irons, communications director for the California-based institute. “To understand when you apply to school that you won’t have to take out any loans takes out a lot of anxiety.”

While the concept of financial assistance is not a new phenomenon, Irons said, the economy undoubtedly is making education officials more aware of the need to make education more affordable.

“We focus on schools that cover the full cost of attendance,” she said. “Books and supplies are getting more and more expensive.”

Bowling Green State University plans to offer a 15 percent tuition discount for those who take classes part-time this summer.

David Kielmeyer, senior communications director at BGSU, said the Ohio school plan to offer a discounted cost for summer classes benefits both students and the university.

“It was an idea we had certainly in response to the economy,” he said. “It seemed like an opportunity to help students over the summer move forward… we always want to increase enrollment so that is an obvious side benefit.”

- Managing Editor Garret M. Ellison contributed to this report.

university@cm-life.com