By Morgan RousseauPublished: February 6, 2013

UMass announces record $169 million in financial aid this year

UMass to hand out $169 million in financial aid this year. Photo via blog.jammer-store.com

	Students at the University of Massachusetts this year will get more financial aid than every before. The university announced today that it is directing a record $169 million in aid to students this fiscal year, up from $68.4 million in fiscal 2006. In a statement, UMass President Robert Caret said chancellors at the university’s five campuses were using “limited resources” to address student affordability issues. Most of the funds are being delivered in the form of grants. According to the university, financial aid needs are growing, with more students applying for aid and more eligible to receive it than in past years. According to a financial aid report presented to university officials today, 75 percent of UMass undergraduates will graduate with an average of $28,462 in college debt this fiscal year, compared to 65 percent who graduated with average debt of $20,956 in fiscal 2008

Students at the University of Massachusetts this year will get more financial aid than every before.

The university announced today that it is directing a record $169 million in aid to students this fiscal year, up from $68.4 million in fiscal 2006.

In a statement, UMass President Robert Caret said chancellors at the university’s five campuses were using “limited resources” to address student affordability issues.

Most of the funds are being delivered in the form of grants.

According to the university, financial aid needs are growing, with more students applying for aid and more eligible to receive it than in past years.

According to a financial aid report presented to university officials today, 75 percent of UMass undergraduates will graduate with an average of $28,462 in college debt this fiscal year, compared to 65 percent who graduated with average debt of $20,956 in fiscal 2008