Editorial furthers financial aid confusion

The Chronicle editorial last Friday, “Clear up financial aid ambiguity,” unfortunately created the very confusion it wanted to address. It is true that the U.S. Department of Education has implemented new regulations that tie federally guaranteed financial assistance to student achievement. However, as the editorial itself notes, universities have the option of requiring “an academic standing consistent with the institution’s requirements for graduation.” That in fact has been Duke’s longtime policy, and it is clearly noted on the financial aid website and in all correspondence. The requirements for continuation are the same for all Duke students, whether or not they receive financial aid. To be clear, there has been no change in Duke’s policy, nor is one required by the new law. We encourage anyone with questions or concerns to visit the financial aid website or visit with one of our counselors. (http://finaid.duke.edu/undergraduate/prospectives/howitworks/otherfactors.html) The University’s commitment to ensuring that a Duke education is affordable to all has never been stronger and should continue to be a source of great pride for all of us.

Alison Rabil, assistant vice provost and director of financial aid