Hamilton Adopts Need Blind Admission Policy
At a time when parents are beginning to question whether they can afford a college education for their children, Hamilton College has announced that it will make admission decisions without considering an applicant's ability to pay.
The Hamilton College Board of Trustees voted unanimously on March 6 to adopt a need-blind policy in admission, effective with the first-year class that will enroll this fall. Colleges that are need-blind pledge to make admission decisions without considering an applicant's ability to pay. It is believed that there are fewer than three dozen U.S. colleges and universities that are need-blind and that meet the full demonstrated need of each admitted student. Hamilton will continue its long-standing policy of meeting the full demonstrated need of every student it admits.
Previously, the college had an admissions policy that was “need aware,” in which some applicants were rejected partly over their finances and others accepted, at least in part, because they could pay.
The new policy takes effect with the freshman class arriving on campus this fall. Hamilton said it expected its annual financial aid budget, currently nearly $25 million, to grow by at least $2 million over four years. While the initial expense will be paid through donations of six trustees, it expects to begin a campaign to raise $40 million to establish a permanent endowment.
