The Corporation earmarked $400,000 for the first stage in the process of providing financial aid for all incoming transfer and Resumed Undergraduate Education students at its February meeting.
That amount is expected to fund incoming transfers as they move through the University for two to three years, supplemented by further increases over the longer term, according to Provost Robert Zimmer.
"The University Resources Committee made a commitment to the Corporation" to increase financial aid for transfer students, Zimmer said, "and we intend to follow it up with further increases through the years."
As for transfer students currently enrolled at Brown, Zimmer said the administration is still "taking a look" at financial aid options.
Increasing financial aid availability was a major issue in drafting budgetary plans for the University, according to Zimmer, who chairs the URC.
"The decision was a priority of both (President Ruth Simmons) and myself, the URC, and it was something that was well received by those in the Corporation. ... There is a clear consensus of the importance of financial aid and its continued improvement," said Zimmer.
Zimmer noted that undergraduate financial aid is one of the fastest-growing elements of the University's budget. The total undergraduate financial aid budget will jump by $3.77 million in fiscal year 2006, an increase of 9 percent.
Director of Financial Aid Michael Bartini said that although the Corporation approved the financial aid funds for transfer and RUE students, senior administrators are still in the process of working out the details.
Financial aid for transfers has been a major concern for many in the University community. Many students made appeals for improvement to the administration last semester.
"It is important to hear very broadly from all constituents of the University - students, faculty, alums - and consider their arguments," Zimmer said.
Though they welcomed the increase in financial aid, some students on campus said they were concerned for currently enrolled transfers, many of whom were behind the push for transfer aid.
"I definitely feel that the students who fought to get transfer student aid should get a part of the money that's set aside," said Libby Lucas '08.
Transfer student Emilee Trower '05 said that transfers provide a unique addition to the University community and should be provided with the same financial aid opportunities as their peers.
"I feel like current transfer students at Brown bring a lot to the table, and that should be acknowledged by financial help, especially with all the increases in financial aid put toward incoming students," Trower said.
Zimmer said the University will make a "huge commitment" to improve financial aid across many levels.
"I think that it's important, given the nature of the community we are and the educational experience we advocate, that students should have the chance to go here independent of financial need," Zimmer said.
