Katey Woodruff & Henry Wade, News Editor & Special to The Denisonian
University administration recently revealed that they have a new financial aid model for incoming classes. The new model, called the Denison Commitment, promises tuition aid packages that depend on family income. Students who fill out the FAFSA and CSS profile are eligible to receive the tuition caps.
Students whose family makes less than $100,000 annually are expected to pay $0 for tuition and students whose family makes between $100,001 and $200,000 will pay a maximum of 5% of their family’s income. Following this, every $100,000 increase in family income brings another 5% to the maximum they will be expected to pay towards tuition. Families making $200,001 to $300,000 will pay no more than 10% of income toward tuition, and families making $300,001 to $400,000 will pay no more than 15% of income toward tuition.
This comes as many colleges nationwide are experiencing steep tuition hikes and drops in enrollment rates.
“Too often, families make assumptions about whether a top-tier college like Denison is within financial reach before fully understanding the aid available to them,” said Denison President Adam Weinberg in a press release.
Housing and meals are not covered by the package but can be reduced based on other financial aid offers. Additionally, this package is currently only being offered to domestic students who will be starting their freshmen year in 2027 and onward.
Some current students are not happy with the constant changes to financial aid that affect only future students.
“All of these new scholarships and grants and stuff that they’re coming out with directly benefit the new classes, while we’re not considered. So now, people could be paying a $5k difference in tuition just because of the year they were enrolled in,” said Emma Bradford ‘28. “If you do the math, it’s like, how is that fair?”
The change was announced via an email press release that went out to administration and is accompanied by an informational website. The website contains a calculator for families to gauge how much they will need to pay, as well as answers to frequently asked questions regarding the model.
The initiative’s purpose is stated on its website as providing families with “clear, predictable pricing early in the college search process.” Essentially, pricing transparency for prospective students is at the forefront of this new model.
“The Denison Commitment provides families the confidence to explore a college where they find true fit. A college that aligns students’ academic and social interests and sets them up to build successful and fulfilling lives,” said Meghan Huston Ulsh ’12, vice president for enrollment management.