<p>I have read the new initiative and think it should have positive impact on the potential students, applicants and the college itself.</p>
<p>The non-loan financial commit is finally closing the gap between Chicago’s financial aid and others’, say Princeton, which is the first to do it. That definitely will boost the yield rate. Of course it will benefit the eventual students greatly.</p>
<p>The increase of National Merit Scholar awards from $2,000 to $4,000 per year for four years is specifically good for those who do not qualify need-based financial aid.I think Chicago should further enhance the merit-based scholarships if possible. It is one of top schools which still offer merit-based scholarships.</p>
<p>Interestingly it has some vague criterion regarding application fee. Dose it mean that anyone who applies (claims) to need-based financial aid does not have to pay the application fee?</p>
<p>I would think the new initiative will increase the intrinsic value of the college from the applicant’s point of view and really benefits the students themselves.</p>