To The Editor:
Alfred Valrie '01 raises the important issue of student loans and the burden on students from low income families ("Owing an Arm, a Leg and a Future," March 29).
We share this concern, which is precisely why Dartmouth has made dramatic reductions to loan expectations for students and increased scholarship amounts commensurately.
These changes have reduced the average total loan for Dartmouth financial aid recipients by 20 percent and increased annual scholarship support for students by approximately $4 million.
The following chart (below) indicates the loan expectations for the 2006-07 academic year.
Valrie also raises the question of the relationship between colleges and universities and various loan processing agencies.
Dartmouth's association with New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation has been closely scrutinized. The relationship with NHEAF works to the advantage of Dartmouth students both in terms of favorable interest rates and speed of processing.
