Financial Aid is more than just a means to an education. It is an investment in talent; an opportunity to touch a life, a family, even an entire community. Our need-blind admission policy attracts gifted students who have a wide range of experiences to share with their peers, significantly broadening everyone's education; we're stronger and richer for their presence. In 2008, Brown extended its commitment to financial aid. The new policy featuring more scholarships and fewer loans--targeting, especially, lower- and middle-class families--is the fastest-growing item in Brown's budget. That's why the campaign has increased the goal for endowed scholarships from $300 million to $400 million and made financial aid one of the highest fundraising priorities.
"Since 2001, Brown has made financial aid for our students one of our highest priorities," said President Ruth J. Simmons. "Every year, we have taken steps to ensure that our financial aid programs are competitive and effective." Enhancing Brown's resources in this area, then, lies at the heart of the Plan for Academic Enrichment.