<p>This is all complete speculation, but speculation based on facts!</p>
<p>So, my theory is that GW is moving towards being a school that meets 100% of demonstrated need of its students.</p>
<p>Why do i think this? </p>
<p>1) For the last two years, the merit-aid pool has been decreasing
2011: $4mill from merit-aid to need-aid; $7mill from funding to need-aid. That’s +$11mill to need-aid and -$4mill to merit-aid.
Source: [University</a> gives less in merit aid - The GW Hatchet](<a href=“http://www.gwhatchet.com/2011/12/05/university-gives-less-in-merit-aid/]University”>University gives less in merit aid – The GW Hatchet)</p>
<p>2) Already meets 94-96% of demonstrated need
[University</a> gives less in merit aid - The GW Hatchet](<a href=“http://www.gwhatchet.com/2011/12/05/university-gives-less-in-merit-aid/]University”>University gives less in merit aid – The GW Hatchet)</p>
<p>3) Statistical Increase in % receiving Need-aid, statistical decrease in % receiving merit-aid
Need-Aid 2008-2011: 40.0% to 54.0% (+14.0% increase)
Merit-Aid 2008-2011: 14.7% to 09.9% (-04.8% decrease)
Source: <a href=“Office of Institutional Research & Planning | The George Washington University”>Office of Institutional Research & Planning | The George Washington University;
<p>After reading some more recent articles, this year might disprove my theory completely. But I am going to wait till the data comes out for 2012 before I through this idea aside.</p>
<p>What does everyone else think?</p>