The school's financial counselors have shifted to a case-by-case approach to financial aid and to increasing the amount of merit-based scholarships available, she says.
Some colleges are raising the bar to qualify for both need- and merit-based scholarships, a trend that will likely continue next academic year, Mr. Draeger said.
Tuition assistance, much like merit-based and need-based scholarships, can be offered by private citizens through community partnerships with creative financing.