Berkeley targets middle classes with financial aid

The Berkeley Middle Class Access Plan is thought to be 바카라사이트 first programme at a publicly-funded US university that gives comprehensive assistance to such students.

Under 바카라사이트 plans, parental contribution to 바카라사이트 total annual cost ¨C including fees, accommodation and books ¨C will be capped at 15 per cent for families earning between $80,000 (?52,000) and $140,000 annually.

Robert Birgeneau, chancellor of UC Berkeley, said that 바카라사이트 scheme was ¡°necessary and completely consistent¡± with 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s ethos.

However, 바카라사이트 university¡¯s stance is at odds with a recent report by 바카라사이트 College Board, which criticised institutions for ¡°giving a lot of 바카라사이트 money to people who could be fine without it¡±.

The study said that such strategies ¨C aimed at households earning between $100,000 and $180,000 ¨C were akin to a department store offering discounts to encourage customers to spend more.

Despite this, Professor Birgeneau said that Berkeley¡¯s aims were purely altruistic: ¡°We see early signs that middle-income families who cannot access existing assistance programmes are straining to meet college costs.

¡°As a public institution we feel strongly that we need to sustain and expand access across 바카라사이트 socio-economic spectrum.

¡°This plan is part of our commitment to ensuring that financial challenges do not prevent qualified students from attending university.¡±

The new plan chimes with recent rhetoric from 바카라사이트 Obama administration.

Addressing a Florida high school last week, 바카라사이트 vice-president Joe Biden acknowledged 바카라사이트 burden that increasing tuition costs put on families.

¡°The incredible cost of college education is for 바카라사이트 first time crushing hundreds of parents,¡± he said.

Berkeley confirmed that 바카라사이트 funds for 바카라사이트 new aid programme would not be taken out of state funds or impact on access plans already underway for disadvantaged students.

It is expected that 바카라사이트 money will instead come from financial aid resources, alumni donations and revenue from out-of-state tuition fees.

sarah.cunnane@tsleducation.com