Some colleges may admit students based on their tuition

By SAM INGLOT
Capital News Service
LANSING— Some Michigan higher education advocates disagree with a national survey that found most colleges and universities target higher-paying students during the admissions process. “I think to paint all universities with that survey is misleading,” said Michael Boulus, executive director for the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan. The survey found that a top goal of admissions directors is to recruit students who will pay more for their tuition, including out-of-state students, international students and full-pay students—those who don’t need financial aid. The survey, published by Inside Higher Ed, a higher education news and resource webpage, polled 462 anonymous admissions officials from nonprofit colleges and universities,
Public universities are traditionally known for access to all students regardless of income. But the survey indicates that in-state and low-income students may not be as highly sought as other students who can pay higher tuition to financially strapped universities.