Duke is preparing to review financial aid applications from the Class of 2013, which is expected to demonstrate a higher need compared to previous classes.
"We've seen an increase in the percentage of students who said they will apply for financial aid," said Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Christoph Guttentag.
He added that 65 percent of applicants indicated they would seek aid-a 10 percent increase, according to a Duke press release.
The Office of Financial Aid has made offers to students who have completed their CSS Profile and FAFSA, said Alison Rabil, assistant vice provost and director of Financial Aid. Students will be able to submit forms until the first week of May.
She noted that Duke is firmly committed to its need-blind policy for applicants and is trying to be sensitive to family situations in light of the financial climate. Duke's need-blind policy extends to early and regular decision applicants, as well as students on the waitlist, but does not cover international students and non-citizens, Rabil said.
"Financial aid has hovered around 40 percent [of students]," Rabil said. "I think that will continue, but it will go up above 40 percent. But how much it will is uncertain right now."
Rabil said she anticipates that the University will award more aid to the incoming class than in previous years due to the financial downturn. She added that she also expects to adjust packages for upperclassmen.
"I suspect that in the next two to three years, aid and grants will continue to increase because of debt," Rabil said. "It takes that long to rebound from credit card debt, loans and unemployment."
Chris Dall, a North Carolina native, received an acceptance letter from Duke last week along with more than 3,500 other regular admissions applicants. Although Dell is excited about the opportunity to attend Duke, he said is concerned about paying for his education.
"I am going to end up with a little more student loans then what I am comfortable with, and I am hoping for some help from my extended family," he wrote in an e-mail. "I am looking and applying for every little scholarship I can get, no matter the cost."
Despite the financial woes across America, Duke received a record number of regular decision applications from the Class of 2013.
"I did not expect the increase in size of the applicant pool," Guttentag said. "I don't think anyone did."
There were also more early decision applications this year. Guttentag said this increase did not surprise him because early applications were due shortly after the downturn began.
The offices of Financial Aid and Admissions have emphasized the University's affordability to prospective students, Guttentag said. Over the past two years, the offices have mailed prospective applicants reminders about Duke's Financial Aid Initiative, which ended in January and raised more than $300 million.
"Alison Rabil and I want to make Duke acceptable and affordable for all," Guttentag said.
The real challenge will be changing high school students' perception of the University's affordability when they are considering their options, Rabil said. She added that in the future, she hopes to educate high school freshmen about the financial aid process.
"If they think they cannot afford Duke, they think, 'Why bother,'" she said. "It's kind of a mental game. If you know you can afford it you will more likely strive for it. You will not want your effort wasted."
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