U. may give more aid than in 1990

For the class of 1995, over $12.8 million in financial aid has so far been granted, Schilling said this week. He said he expects that figure to increase by the June 14 award deadline. Of the 1757 high school students who the University offered admission and financial aid, Schilling said that 892 students have agreed to matriculate, and will receive aid in the form of grants, long-term loans and work study jobs. "We will have more aid offered after May 17," he said. "Students who replied after that date are not [yet] recorded." Schilling also said that the total number of financial aid applicants decreased from last year's level. Saying that there was no major impact on awards by the University's current budget problems, Schilling however said he is concerned about future aid. "I think the concern has to do with federal funding and the level of family income and how they relate to the cost of education," he said. "Over the last decade, there has been no growth in federal funding. But at the same time, costs have been increasing. That throws more of the burden to the school and the students." According to Schilling, the Financial Aid Office has received a smaller than predicted amount of contribution from students' families. "That is related to the effect of problem of economical condition," he said. Schilling also said that in comparison to recent years, the racial distribution of financial aid applicants shows a drop in several minority groups' applications for financial aid. "The number of applications from blacks and Hispanic dropped and therefore admittance dropped," said Schilling. "I'd assume that aid offered to them dropped."

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