Using institutional financial aid to discount tuition

The purpose of this paper is to examine the increases in institutional spending for financial aid and to discuss the implications for colleges and universities. Specifically, it will examine how these increases have affected the way institutions award financial aid. The consequences of these changes are then discussed and a case study of a mid-sized, public university is presented to provide insight into the systems of awarding institutional aid. The discussion concludes with ideas for easing the need for institutions to commit such large amounts of money towards aid programs