<p>The common data set info on financial aid seems to indicate they may have switched about $10 million in money previously designated for merit awards into need-based aid, which probably makes some sense in the wake of the big cuts handed out by the state of Pennsylvania. The state doesn’t even cover the cost of the tuition discounts Pitt now gives out to in-state students. </p>
<p>Of course, that could simply be reclassification, as the Common Data Set defines “need-based aid” to include “non-need based aid used to meet need”. Since there are higher tuition rates due to the state cuts that could qualify more individuals as need-based coupled with the fact that the % of out-of-state students that do not get an in-state tuition discount is rising.</p>
<p>We’ll see how that holds in the future. It is hard to know if they are actually giving out less merit aid or more are just applying with the expectations of it.</p>