Financial Aid Directors: In Their Own Words

Here is a collection of quotes from financial aid directors from news articles this week:

• "We want people in the metro Detroit area to know they can afford to go to a major research university, said Al Hermsen, financial aid director at Wayne State University announcing a $5.5 million increase in financial aid at his institution.

• “I see more students applying for financial aid,” UWF Director of Financial Aid Cathy Brown said. “Not because of the new act, but because of the state of the economy. The act will make a difference, but the economy will be the driver in the decision for students seeking aid.”

Question asked of Wabash College Director of Financial Aid Clint Gasaway:  Does Wabash have enough assistance to provide families?  

"We are not certain at this point. The downturn in the market and the impact on the endowment will have a significant impact on the resources we have available to provide to families. We are cutting back on the merit-based scholarships in order to try to maintain our commitment to meeting the demonstrated financial need of all admitted students. It is likely that we will not have enough assistance to help all families. The families that have missed the financial aid application deadline of March 1 may not have their need fully met." 

• "More funding is being put into federal programs," said Michelle Silcox, associate director of financial aid at the University of Saint Francis. And the federal loans are the best option of course, after scholarship and grant options are exhausted, she said.

• "If you're a fantastic student and have plenty of offers, you may have a better shot of getting an improved financial aid package at your top school, Stetson University's director of financial aid Marty Carney said.  "Some schools have a policy to match other school's financial aid award offers," he says.  In a letter, explain why you consider this school to be your first choice, and that you'd come "if the school could make it financially feasible for you," Carney says. Include the competing institution's financial aid offer.

• "Unfortunately, over the past 30 years, increases in federal financial aid have not kept pace with increases in the cost of an education, which means at this point that students' needs may not be fully met and there is a far greater reliance on student loans as well as private loans."  Suzy Allen, the director of financial aid at the University of New Hampshire

• "The financial aid process is becoming fearful like taxes, flying and snakes," Marin said. "Their main concern is how to get more money and especially now people are more apprehensive. This is a big step and families are wondering, 'How can afford it?' "  Louisa Martin, the financial aid director at Southern New Hampshire University