Pell Grant

• The review comes after Dave Yost, the state’s attorney general, advised administrators in a call that using race as a factor to award funds may be unconstitutional.
• The day after the Supreme Court’s decision, he had signaled that schools should clamp down on race-conscious programs.
• He warned that “disguised” race-conscious admissions policies are still race-conscious admissions policies.

Targeting racial criteria

• Officials at the universities of Kentucky and Missouri eliminated consideration of race in scholarships and grants.
• This raises a question that goes beyond Ohio: Are scholarships that use race as part of their criteria a thing of the past?
• To figure that out, administrators may have to go back to the source: the 2023 Supreme Court decision.

Diversity and the ‘strict scrutiny’ test

• In 2003 and again in 2016, the court ruled that a diverse student body is a compelling interest.
• But in 2023, Harvard and UNC weren’t able to pass the strict scrutiny test.
• But this overlooks two important facts: The Supreme Court did not rule that diversity can never be a compelling state interest or that race can never be considered.
• Even race-conscious admissions aren’t completely off the table – if programs can pass the strict scrutiny test.

• But after the Harvard and UNC decision, even these programs will need to explore other ways to achieve diversity.
• MIT and Stanford Law are among the programs already using criteria such as income, ZIP code and civic engagement to maintain diversity.

More challenges ahead

• In contrast, some campus leaders and lawyers argue that the court’s decision should be limited to race-conscious admissions.
• They argue it should not include other programs where race might be used as a factor.

Tips for prospective students and their parents

• Students can also take the following steps: • Stay informed: Follow the news to find out whether changes in state laws or policies will affect scholarship opportunities.
• • Talk to financial aid administrators: Connect with advisers in the school’s financial aid office to learn how they interpret the Harvard/UNC decision.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• The following is written by Dr. Tracy D. Hall, President of Southwest Tennessee Community College:
  The Chronicle of Higher Education released in July 2023 a publication entitled "College as a Public Good: Making the case through community engagement."
• In it were sections devoted to topics such as colleges as stewards of the public trust, educational partners, financial drivers and community partners.
• For most community colleges, our graduates remain in the local community.
• Community colleges embrace our roles as stewards of the public trust, educational partners, financial drivers, and community partners.

• Everyone should complete the FAFSA to learn if they are eligible for it or other scholarships, grants or assistance."
• Students must be attending an eligible Michigan postsecondary institution and demonstrate financial need when they complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• "Applying for financial aid can be an extremely complicated and overwhelming process," said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of the Michigan College Access Network.
• "The new and better FAFSA, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and the Michigan Reconnect program are all laudable initiatives that have combined to create an easier pathway to an affordable college education."

• PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wyatt® , the digital FAFSA advisor that has helped 30,000 students secure nearly $40 million in federal grant aid for college since 2019, is now fully updated to provide students with on-demand guidance to complete the revised Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, Benefits Data Trust (BDT) announced today.
• The 2024-2025 FAFSA was released in late December – more than two months later than usual – after significant updates to simplify the form.
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