<p>I hesitate to start a new topic, but I wasn't sure if I should post this under the Exeter or Andover topics so...</p>
<p>In any case, this is what the DA site says:</p>
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[quote]
Full Need Scholarships
In 2007-2008 over 20% of our financial aid recipients receive full need scholarships. These full need scholarships include at least 99% of tuition coverage as well as other forms of assistance. These can include coverage for laptop and school book purchases, travel allowances, stipends for school supplies, music and dance lessons and other school related events and trips. Typically, students who receive full need scholarships come from families with incomes under $80,000 per year and with few additional assets.</p>
<p>Middle Income Scholarships
Deerfield has been a leader in the effort to make education affordable for middle income families for over a decade. These scholarships vary in size but are utilized to make Deerfield an affordable option for families with incomes that range from $80,000 -- $200,000. Home ownership, family size, cost of living adjustments and other factors are considered in the evaluation of these scholarships. An income that falls in this range is not guaranteed of qualification for assistance, but Deerfield is committed to consider all the factors in our evaluation process.</p>
<p>It is important to note that the Admission and Financial Aid Committees make decisions regarding admission to the school and eligibility for financial aid independently. Since admission is a separate process, all families who are interested in financial aid are encouraged to apply. For approximately 40 percent of our families, applying for financial aid is just another step in the process of applying to independent schools. </p>
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<p>So Deerfield IS in fact doing the same thing as Exeter, Andover, and St. Pauls, with a slightly higher income threshold. They have just not yet made a big announcement about it.</p>
<p>From what I understand from friends in the DA admissions office. They have been doing it for years (as have Exeter, SPS, Groton etc.). These "big" announcements seem to be publicity and not necessarily a "sea change" in FA. Just what I've heard...</p>
<p>Exactly what D'yer said. Also, if you look at the Exeter topic you'll see the link to the Exeter development / campaign page where they are raising money specifically for FA.</p>
<p>Well, I'm not so cynical as to say that it's publicity-driven. And if it was for publicity, they would do it sooner rather than later. There's nothing to be gained in holding off on such an announcement just for publicity's sake.</p>
<p>The reasons for holding out on making the announcement as a new policy include the fact that (a) the admissions and financial aid departments have reviewed this year's budget and can make statements as to what they can do within the year, but they have not been authorized to commit to the same generosity in future budgets prior to having those budgets approved by the board; (b) the board may have provided such funding, but they may not be committed to the program on a "permanent" basis and haven't authorized the admissions office to make a firm announcement; (c) there may be a long-term vision of full-funding but they don't necessarily want to be tied to a strict "need-blind" policy all the time; or (d) they are still testing the waters to see how such a policy might shake up traditions and long-time school values, for better or worse.</p>
<p>Once you make the big splashy announcement, there's no turning back. For all the headlines you make for going to a need-blind policy (and, even here, the Exeter announcement flew under the radar of many generally well-informed observers), the news that you're retreating from such a policy would get huge play in the media. So, if the above reasons aren't already too redundant, add (e) they want to reserve the option of retreating from this policy without having it get lots of attention in, say, The Wall Street Journal.</p>
<p>Deerfield has been need-blind for many years. I have no idea when they began this policy, but my D applied there in the fall of 2001 and they were need-blind then.</p>