Kathy Kurz

When I was at the CIC Presidents Institute earlier this month, there was a lot of buzz about the most recent call for an agreement to focus institutional resources on need-based versus merit aid and to reduce the amount of “negotiating” of aid offers. The most surprising announcement in this session was the news that conversations had been held with the Justice Department about the legality of a possible agreement between colleges on these matters. (For more details on the conversation, see Inside Higher Ed’s Baby Steps for Need-Based Aid.) Some believe that if the Justice Department were to allow collaboration on certain principles, it may reduce the competitive pressure to continue with aid strategies based on merit rather than need.…Read more

The buzz word in recruitment over the last couple of years has been authenticity. Certainly it makes logical sense to ensure that prospective students get an accurate picture of your institution so that the fit will be right, and you will attract students that you are more likely to retain. What I didn’t realize until recently, however, was the amount of passionate loyalty that such an approach can elicit. Today’s students are much more cynical than those applying for college even five years ago. They are bombarded from birth with advertisements and hyperbole, and learn to take everything with a grain (or more) of salt. This growing cynicism is particularly marked in the law school market as a result of recent exposés regarding such issues…Read more

  Across Down 4. Original acronym for Perkins 5. Alternative to clock hour 6. COA minus EFC = 8. Original acronym for PELL 9. Things you sleep in or process 12. Precursor to FWS 13. Which Senator originally proposed Constitution Day 14. All aid officers dread a program _____ 16. It is all about _____ and cents 18. If he is elected, bank-based loans may return 19. Senator Pell's first name 20. Original precursor to FAFSA 21. Theme of this puzzle 22. Interview required at graduation for loan borrower 24. Original name for student loan program now called Direct 26. Considered in IM but not in FM 27. What did the D in NDSL originally stand for? 1. What allowance is determined by the age of the older parent 2. Kathy Kurz's graduate…Read more