This article about University of Arizona’s budget crisis suggests the generous merit aid to out-of-state students may be coming to an end for future students, although current students are protected:
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Definitely looks like OOS merit is on the chopping block. I do understand why AZ taxpayers might not want to offer reduced tuition to OOS students. I expect over the next decade fewer publics will offer merit to OOS students, time will tell.
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Won’t be good for their national rep.
They are removing the four year guarantee too.
Yes, I agree, as one does, others can then do and stay competitive - relatively.
I wonder if degree programs will be chopped.
I think the smartest move for many state schools is to offer WUE-type scholarships on a competitive basis (limited to the strongest students and/or for certain programs).
That way, they still get more tuition from those OOS students compared to state residents even if it isn’t full nonresident tuition. And if the cost is lower than most private schools, many OOS students will keep those schools on the list even if they are a bit more than their own state schools.
I will be surprised if any flagship state schools will be able to continue offering huge merit aid to OOS students on an on-going basis. There aren’t that many now and I wonder if any will remain in 4-5 years.
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wow, my CA son was thinking about applying but won’t now. The merit aid was the most attractive thing about the school
Flagship state schools’ actions in this respect would depend on whether they are under capacity and whether they want to raise their academic profile by attracting strong students (compared to their general student body) from out-of-state.
Obviously, those that are filled to capacity may offer only a tiny number of highly competitive large out-of-state merit scholarships (e.g. in California and North Carolina). But those with plenty of excess capacity may offer large out-of-state merit scholarships on stats thresholds that may seem low on these forums, but high relative to the students they matriculate (e.g. in Mississippi and Alabama).
Well, yes, obviously California has no need to attract out-of-state students.
But I note that some schools that aggressively pursued out-of-state students, like Arizona and West Virginia, are finding themselves in budget crises.
I realize there is a lot more going on there than merit aid programs. I am just suggesting that I think there is a sweet spot for schools that want to boost enrollment with OOS students that does not go as far as Arizona’s historic merit aid packages.
Well - it’s a bit early to know - right now it’s just words.
I think you have to wait and see - and it still might be aggressive…just not as…
Also, merit is great but hopefully there’s something about the school that is attractive beyond the money. It’s a great school - with a lot of strong majors and Tucson is a great city.
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