For most colleges and universities, especially large public state universities, financial aid funds have dwindled while a larger percent of freshman have applied for financial aid. Emma Brown and Daniel de Vise, reporters for The Washington Post, reported in an article published on August 20, 2009 that "college students are appealing financial aid decisions this summer in unprecedented numbers…." Not only are more students applying for financial aid, more students, due to recent financial troubles are also appealing financial aid decisions. This increase in appeals even extends to many private universities; Brown and de Vise report that "aid appeals are coming from across the spectrum of salary and class. Students are appealing for aid at $8,000-a-year state schools and $30,000 private institutions alike." Applying for financial aid is no longer prevalent in only the lower socio-economic classes; people of all income

levels are hoping to receive some help to pay for the ever-increasing costs of universities.

Along with more financial aid appeals, colleges face another even more troubling problem: state aid to universities have decreased dramatically. Public universities, the hardest-hit from severe budget cuts, face serious financial problems in the next year or two. Daniel de Vise also wrote another article for the Washington Post that exposed the economic plight of many area universities and colleges. De Vise reported that "state funding for higher education is eroding in Virginia and Maryland, reflecting a national retrenchment for public colleges and universities."

Due to recent cuts in the state budgets, Maryland and Virginia universities have had some serious cuts in funding that might seriously affect education at UMD, UVA and other universities. According to a chart published with the article, University of Maryland has seen a $37.2 million reduction in state funding, for 2010, University of Virginia has seen a $19.3 million in state funding reduction and many other area universities have seen similar funding cuts. Area universities that face such serious funding cuts are now faced with the dilemma of saving costs by cutting programs and reducing faculty size.

Colleges may have to reduce class sizes and increase college tuition in order to offset funding cuts. Paint Branch Career Coordinator Mrs. Murphy finds these recent funding cuts very unfortunate: "It’s very unfortunate because a lot of students depend on state funding to help pay for college. With the economy as it is now, it’s very sad that state governments are pulling money from education. It’s a really difficult situation for students and parents."

Even with such bleak news about college tuition and funding cuts, hope still remains for those who truly need help. U.S. News & World Report, known for its annual college rankings, offers some possible solutions to the current financial aid problem.

Andy Baum, Professor of Economics at Skidmore College and special consultant to the College Board, blogs about "What’s New in College Financial Aid?" on the U.S. News & World Report website. Baum states that the federal government will be more generous with Pell grants "the cornerstone of federal student aid." Mainly awarded to students with an income of $50,000 or less, Pell grants may be a very smart option for low-income students. Baum also notes that for those who plan on applying for financial aid from any institution, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA, a necessary part of the financial-aid process, will "will become simpler with increased reliance on ‘skip logic’: Students will no longer have to sort through questions that do not pertain to their circumstances.

The Obama Administration is also requesting that Congress reduce the amount of information required to compute federal aid eligibility so that the form can become even shorter and easier to complete." The blog also encouraged students to find other "sources of college loans" like the Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) or the federal Stafford loans for student borrowers.

Senior Gary Wiser confesses that "it’s unfortunate that people who don’t qualify for financial aid but still need assistance are not able to get some aid to pay for college." For students who face such a problem, Mrs. Murphy suggests that they "be diligent in looking for outside scholarships."