An article in The Chronicle of Higher Education asks UM’s president why this is a big deal, when these students are already getting their tuition covered. Apparently: “For students and families who look at a prestigious university like Michigan and believe they will never be able to afford it, the Go Blue Guarantee will explicitly communicate to them that their tuition will be covered and that cost should not hinder them from applying, Mr. Schlissel said. … The university found that prospective applicants who were explicitly told they were guaranteed four years of free tuition if they were admitted applied at two and a half times the rate of those who were told only that Michigan had generous need-based aid.” Okay, I’ll buy that …
The article does ask: “And what about student fees and living expenses not covered by the plan? Would such a guarantee really make a difference?” The answer those questions are not addressed in the article, though. That part of the equation is important, as I know from my experience with a public U that covered the cost of tuition for 0 EFC students … who then couldn’t come because they couldn’t afford to live on campus.
It’s not the be-all-and-end-all, but it is a step in the right direction. I just hope they continue to work toward being able to assist low-income students with the real cost of college (not just tuition).