BU to shift more aid to needy students

Scholarships cut to help city's grads

Boston University will scale back a 35-year-old merit scholarship program for Boston public high school graduates and devote larger sums to city graduates who need it most, university and city officials announced yesterday.

The changes are in response to lukewarm interest among Boston public high school graduates who qualify for the university's Boston Scholars Program but often choose to attend other colleges. Last year, about a third of the 58 full-tuition scholarships went unused.

All the while, some Boston public graduates who do not meet the criteria for the scholarship program attend BU by taking on loads of debt. Tuition plus room and board at Boston University cost a total of nearly $50,000 per year.

"What we will be doing is expanding financial aid to many more Boston public school graduates," said Robert A. Brown, president of Boston University, in a telephone interview yesterday. "We are hoping this will make it possible for more BPS graduates to come to BU."

Brown said he does not know how many students may benefit from the changes because he expects the announcement to prompt more seniors to apply to BU. Ultimately, Brown said, he predicts the university will spend more money under the revised program.

Many colleges nationwide are offering more money for students from low- or middle-income families by replacing loans with grants or guaranteeing a full ride to students from families with certain income levels. Brown said that in recent years, BU has been quietly shifting money from merit-based scholarship programs to need-based financial aid.

Under the changes announced yesterday, the number of merit scholarships will be reduced by more than half, to about 25. The university also will replace loans with grants for all Boston public school students who qualify for financial aid. Some families may still opt to take out loans for any portion of tuition and room and board that is not covered by aid.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino has recommended, however, that the grants come with a hitch: Recipients will have to provide some form of community service while at Boston University.

The changes go into effect for students enrolling next fall.

Menino applauded BU's president yesterday for the initiative. "A lot of other college presidents would have said, 'If a scholarship is not used, too bad,' " Menino said yesterday in a telephone interview. "Bob Brown wants to make sure the money goes to students who need it."

University officials said the changes should have little impact on city graduates who typically qualify for a merit scholarship, because many of them also qualify for financial aid. Nearly all Boston public school students entering BU this fall were eligible for some level of financial aid, officials said.

In the last admission cycle, Boston University offered 74 Boston public school graduates merit scholarships, but only 38 of those applicants enrolled this fall. The university also offered admission to 137 other Boston public school graduates, but only 35 of them enrolled this fall.

Candidates for the Boston Scholars Program are selected by a three-person committee comprised of a mayoral appointee, a Boston School Department representative, and a Boston University official. They review high school grade-point averages, SAT scores, and essays.

In general, admission to Boston University is considered tough. More than 60 percent of this year's 4,200 freshmen had graduated in the top 10 percent of their high school class.

Since the Boston Scholars Program began in 1973, more than 1,700 Boston public school graduates have received nearly $126 million in scholarships. In 1980, the program became part of the nonprofit university's cooperation agreement with the city that, among other things, outlines various financial contributions BU will make to Boston in lieu of taxes. Brown and the mayor signed an amendment to that agreement on Friday, detailing changes to the scholar program.

Boston School Superintendent Carol R. Johnson said in a statement yesterday that the changes should be a boon for students.

"I know our guidance counselors will embrace this opportunity for our graduates with enthusiasm," Johnson said. "I am especially pleased that it broadens the range of options for students, including those students in our district high schools who would love to attend Boston University."