Brown supports its domestic students as well as any other large university does - with one glaring exception: Transfer and Resumed Undergraduate Education students fall between the cracks when it comes to financial aid. The hurdles to solving this problem are enormous, officials say, but what is most troubling is that little action seems to have been taken to tackle the problem.
The University does not currently consider RUE and transfers along with the rest of the student body when it doles out aid. In fact, both programs appear to be strictly budget-driven, and this budget is outside of the normal aid reserves. While transfer students are currently admitted to Brown under a need-blind admissions process, absolutely no University funds are allocated to support them. RUE students are still admitted need-aware, with an annual budget that includes only a small allocation for aid. (Only two of the 2003 RUE admits received any University funds.) Prospective RUE students who have significant need are often declined admission based on finances, not on academic qualifications.
While I commend the University for pushing for need-blind admissions, I think there are some internal issues for those that are already admitted that need serious redress. First, segregating RUE and transfer aid from the rest of the University coffers is unfair and wholly unethical. Older students, special students, former military, those who took time to raise a family, late bloomers and anyone else who started at another institution are denied aid. Second, while not true for other full-time students, if a RUE or transfer student is not awarded aid in the first year they are ineligible for funds in future years. At the very least, and perhaps most important, RUE and transfer students should be considered eligible for aid after they are full-fledged members of the student population.
RUE and transfer students are thousands of dollars in debt. A large percent will graduate with six-figure debts after four years at Brown. That is staggering. The administration would not let a regular admit take on that amount of debt; for most students, if there is need, that need is at least partially met.
The University Resources Committee, which advises the University on financial issues, met Monday to discuss funds allocation for next year. RUE and transfer students attended to voice concerns. Provost Robert Zimmer's noncommittal response to these student worries was, "What I can say is we take the problem seriously. ... When we feel we can address it, we will." RUE and transfer students fear this day will never come.
The subject of financial and institution aid for RUE and transfer students needs to be tackled once and for all. For the provost to place the matter on the back burner yet again, until whenever the University feels it is ready to address it, is abhorrent.
Something is seriously wrong with this picture. Brown supports diversity in the student body in most matters, yet it discriminates against RUE and transfers in regard to aid. We are a part of this community, we will be alums and many of us have already proven ourselves in business and social circles. Apply the same rules for aid to us that you apply for all other students.
Marie Hopkins RUE '08 is vice president of the Resumed Undergraduate Student Association.
