Students on financial aid face hassles, report shows
DURHAM, N.C. (U-WIRE) — Students on financial aid continue to face excessive burdens in their everyday lives and cumbersome interaction with the administration, despite recent improvements in aid awards and policies, according to a new Duke University Student Government report.

Following up on a similar DSG document from July 2000, the report describes the progress made on previous suggestions and outlines recommendations for future changes. Among the policies the report seeks to change are those relating to housing, dining and students’ cars.

It also asks for more budgetary support for financial aid and greater communication among various university departments.

“We want to make sure when you come to Duke and you’re on aid, you have the same access to things as nonaid students,” said senior Jimmy Carter, co-chairman of the DSG Undergraduate Task Force on Financial Aid. “We’re pleased with the progress of the last report, so we hope the administration takes the time to look at this report and offer us any more information they can.”

Several changes came after the 2000 report, although some were already in progress. Most notably, the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid since has moved to a larger space, and its budget has increased each year.

About 40 percent of undergraduates receive financial aid.

The new report pays particular attention to the policy of reducing aid for some students who own cars. Currently, the office deducts from a student’s aid 35 percent of the car’s value, unless the car is worth less than $3,000 or older than five years — down from seven last year.

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