University of Texas pulls out of National Merit Scholarship program to focus on need-based aid

[n2doc]

Source: AP

JAY ROOT
Associated Press Writer
11:45 a.m. CDT, September 1, 2009

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The University of Texas at Austin is pulling out of the National Merit Scholarship Program to focus on needs-based financial assistance.

The university — second only to Harvard in the number of merit scholars enrolled — said budget pressures were causing it to end its participation in the merit-based program, which awards scholarships to top high school achievers.

Colleges nationwide are struggling to meet higher demand for financial aid amid fewer resources from states and their own endowed scholarship funds.

"The financial constraints brought about by the economy on families and the university require the redirection of resources to ensure accessibility to UT Austin by all qualified students, regardless of ability to pay," the UT Office of Student Financial Services said in a statement Tuesday.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-ap-us-texas-national-merit-scholars,0,2592032.story

[Winterblues]

1. As long as the redirection is really for all students and not sports

I guess I can understand it. It is a shame though.

[JDPriestly]

2. This is unfortunate. The Mert Scholarships do not generally pay

full tuition, but help just a bit in order to lower the costs and loans for highly talented, hardworking students. They make it just a little easier for students to afford graduate school in addition to the college degree. Nowadays, most kids can't qualify for good jobs without some kind of graduate degree.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

3. Their merit scholarship offer was pretty low to begin with.

They only offered $13,000 of the more than $30,000 in tuition cost for in state students over a four year course of study. However, I think they did also offer in state prices to merit students from out of state. Which greatly reduced their tuition costs. I wonder if they'll stop doing so under their new guidelines?


Perhaps this has something to do with Texas' need-based aid being up to $537.9 million last school year? I've been told it will exceeded that mark this year.

[JonQ]

4. That's good

academic merit is overrated.

What really matters is how far you can throw a ball.

[T Wolf]

5. Considering the educational level of Texans and the fundie-controlled school system

they have, there will not be much loss.

Texas does not really value smart students, anyway. Only the athletes are worth anything to them.

[n2doc]

6. The sad thing is UT-A always has been the flagship academic institute there

They used to pride themselves on getting the smartest kids. A and M was for the yahoos. Doesn't seem like that anymore.

[WriteDown]

7. Fail....

UT is one of the best business schools in the country and any hiring manager perks up when they have someone who has attended McCombs.

http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/news/facts/rankings.asp

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

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[Dreamer Tatum]

9. Boy, are you ever wrong nt