18. Award financial aid without consideration of a student’s legacy status

Admissions 09.18.24

Here’s what the federal government can do:

  • The U.S. Department of Education should collect, conduct, and disseminate research on financial aid and scholarships that take into consideration a students’ legacy status.

Here’s what state government can do:

  • State legislatures should require higher education institutions to award financial aid and scholarships without consideration of a student’s legacy status.

Here’s what institutional leaders can do:

  • Higher education institutions should award financial aid and scholarships without consideration of a student’s legacy status.
  • Higher education institutions should create scholarships for first-generation students and other students who do not benefit from generational privileges.

Even if colleges and universities were to consider applicants without taking into account their legacy status, advantaging students with relative alumni connections in awarding aid similarly reinforces generational privilege and opportunity.