Starting fall semester of 2005, Guilford College is enforcing a new rule involving housing and scholarship money for students deciding to live off campus. Financial aid packages will be sent out on March 31, and for those students who wish to live off campus, a 25 percent decrease in scholarship money will be included.

The scholarship money that will be affected is only merit-based and not need-based. If students are asked by the college to live off campus, their scholarship money will not be affected.

“We’ve discussed this for at least three years,” said Associate Dean of Enrollment Anthony Gurley.” I think it is sound. I hope it’s not seen as a punitive policy.”

“We constantly review all financial aid policies, both as they relate to need-based and merit aid,” said Gurley. “This change occurred as a routine part of our annual reviews of aid funds. This was one part of a concerted effort to bring Guilford’s financial aid discount rate down by a couple of percentage points.”

“This seemed to make sense, given the fact that the original award amounts (per fund type) are determined based on the total generic institutional charges for room, board, tuition and fees.”

The scholarships that the decrease would most affect are the presidential, achievement, incentive grants, honors, and the Quaker Leadership Scholars Program.

Since the Bonner scholarship is merit and need-based, it was excluded from the list.

“I think that’s a horrible idea,” said junior Parks Marion. “I think if this school is going to try and be competitive by offering students merit scholarships they should not penalize them for their choice in housing. When the housing options on this campus are so limited by the current size of enrollment, how is it a good idea to make it hard on people for exploring other options?”

The decision was made by Campus Life, the Office of Enrollment, and other administrators.

…The group included Dean for Campus Life Anne Lundquist, Vice President for Enrollment and Campus Life Randy Doss, and Associate Dean for Residence Life Aaron Fetrow.

“I think it’s a good idea because I understand the community they’re trying to facilitate, but I think some people need those scholarships,” said sophomore Nathaniel Sebens.