2008 Woodie Awards
Proposed off-campus housing policy no longer reduces merit-based aid
Megan Feil
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: News
Students can now keep the 25 percent of merit-based aid they used to forfeit when choosing to move off campus, if they apply before the deadline and are approved.
With a shortage of on-campus housing in recent years, Guilford responded by introducing a change to the policy, allowing students an option to move off campus without financial consequences. The review period for the proposal ended Jan. 28.
"I always thought 25 percent was pretty steep," said senior Noah Colin, who lives in Westborough apartments. "It gave people incentive to stay on an overcrowded campus."
"Keeping students happy at Guilford, who we were asking to leave campus because there isn't enough room, is more important than the financial loss," said Dean of Students Aaron Fetrow.
In fall 2006, when 426 traditional first-years arrived at Guilford, 150 students moved off campus, plus another 40 left Guilford housing that spring.
Fall 2007 saw 452 first-years enroll, while more students, about 250, found housing outside of Guilford along with approximately 27 others this spring. Some of these students made a case for waiving the deduction for medical or financial reasons.
"I live off campus now and didn't lose any scholarships because I had a meeting with my financial advisor to prove that it was more economical for me to live off campus," said senior Gabrielle Levine. "It would be a lot cheaper for anyone, really."
Currently, Guilford has no plans to build more apartments or dorms on campus. However, a new apartment complex, Hodgins Retreat, will provide housing behind the Armfield Athletic Center on Dolley Madison Road. They plan to open and welcome new residents in August 2008.
These furnished apartments, closer to Guilford's main buildings than the New Apartments, will cost $495 per month for each room. Living in the apartments on campus without a meal plan breaks down to around $860 per month. However, students must pay for housing up front at Guilford.
With a shortage of on-campus housing in recent years, Guilford responded by introducing a change to the policy, allowing students an option to move off campus without financial consequences. The review period for the proposal ended Jan. 28.
"I always thought 25 percent was pretty steep," said senior Noah Colin, who lives in Westborough apartments. "It gave people incentive to stay on an overcrowded campus."
"Keeping students happy at Guilford, who we were asking to leave campus because there isn't enough room, is more important than the financial loss," said Dean of Students Aaron Fetrow.
In fall 2006, when 426 traditional first-years arrived at Guilford, 150 students moved off campus, plus another 40 left Guilford housing that spring.
Fall 2007 saw 452 first-years enroll, while more students, about 250, found housing outside of Guilford along with approximately 27 others this spring. Some of these students made a case for waiving the deduction for medical or financial reasons.
"I live off campus now and didn't lose any scholarships because I had a meeting with my financial advisor to prove that it was more economical for me to live off campus," said senior Gabrielle Levine. "It would be a lot cheaper for anyone, really."
Currently, Guilford has no plans to build more apartments or dorms on campus. However, a new apartment complex, Hodgins Retreat, will provide housing behind the Armfield Athletic Center on Dolley Madison Road. They plan to open and welcome new residents in August 2008.
These furnished apartments, closer to Guilford's main buildings than the New Apartments, will cost $495 per month for each room. Living in the apartments on campus without a meal plan breaks down to around $860 per month. However, students must pay for housing up front at Guilford.
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