Merit System? Covering Colleges’ Choices on Financial Aid

Who deserves money for college more: students whose test scores and grades qualify them for “merit aid” or students with greater financial need who might be unable to afford college otherwise? New research suggests that colleges might increasingly be favoring less-needy students, in a quest to boost their schools’ rankings and help their bottom lines. Does that finding hold up to scrutiny? And how do colleges’ decisions on need-based versus merit aid affect college enrollment and completion?

EWA invites you to join us for “Merit System?” a special two-part webinar that is the first in the new EWA University webinar series.

Part 1: November 11 at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern)

The Research: In part one, experts who have examined how colleges award financial aid will offer insights on what journalists should keep in mind as they report on this topic. The discussion will feature:

• Jon Boeckenstedt, vice president for enrollment, management and marketing, DePaul University
• Stephen Burd, senior policy analyst, New America
• Kim Clark, senior writer, Money (moderator)

Part 2: November 13 at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern)

The Reporting: In part two, journalists who frequently write about financial aid will share their tips and story ideas with the webinar participants. The discussion will include:

• Jon Marcus, The Hechinger Report
• Beckie Supiano, The Chronicle of Higher Education
• Ry Rivard, Inside Higher Ed