We recommend that student financial aid be prioritized and that additional resources continue to be devoted toward the neediest students.

The Problem

If tuition increases are deemed necessary, most of those increases should be allocated towards financial aid, especially in light of anticipated decreases in state-funded financial aid.  If students will pay more in 2010-2011 to attend NYU, those in need should receive more aid.

It is not at all desirable for students to take out additional loans to compensate for staggering tuition rates during these difficult economic times, which affect students and their families' abilities to pay for a quality higher education.

 

NYU Administration Response

Providing as much financial aid as possible given our resources is a high priority.  We will continue to work hard to minimize merit based aid and award University gift aid to the neediest students. 

Again this year the percentage increase for financial aid for FY11 will be larger than the percentage increase for tuition. And, working to keep tuition, room, board, and fees as low as possible is also a student finance strategy.  We also continue to identify financial aid as a high priority for University fundraising.