In doing so, UR is aligning itself with many Ivy League schools that already have 100 percent matching policies. The schools hope the policies will attract students who might otherwise not be able to afford them. UR’s board of trustees agreed to the policy change last spring.

In the past, the school had made an effort to provide all students’ needs, but “in some cases we were not able to do that,” says Cindy Deffenbaugh, director of financial aid. Still, in recent years the university has provided an average of 96 percent of students’ requirements. The cost for tuition, room and board at UR for the 2001-’02 school year is $27,300. Currently, 28 percent of UR students receive need-based financial help to cover the costs; 68 percent receive some kind of assistance that is merit-based, athletic-related or provided through outside scholarships and loans.

Students who take out loans pay back an average of $15,000 — a relatively low figure, says Deffenbaugh. “We think it’s a good thing to do,” Deffenbaugh says. “Ultimately we’re hoping that students will see that [UR is] affordable to them.” — Brandon Walters

University of Richmond aligns itself with many Ivy League schools in offering full financial