September 25, 2009 (Arlington, VA) – A survey conducted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) has confirmed that college admission and counseling officers at secondary and postsecondary schools continue to experience difficulties as a result of the pressures of fiscal uncertainty. The survey showed that very few high schools were able to accommodate budget increases as they planned for the 2009-10 school year. Among the responding secondary institutions, 95 percent reported frozen or decreased budgets. And only 17 percent of responding colleges reported increased budgets. 
Survey Results. Handouts.
The survey was a continuation of an effort started in May to gauge the impact of the economic downturn on the college admission process. As shown in the May survey, public colleges and high schools continue to see a higher proportion of budget cuts than private colleges and high schools.
As postsecondary administrations were facing a slowdown in the economy, many anticipated a greater interest in financial aid among students and families. As expected, almost 90 percent of colleges reported increases in financial aid applications. The survey also showed 74 percent of colleges reported an increase in the number of students offered institutional grant aid, and 62 percent reported increases in the average loan amount.
Many of the surveyed high schools reported efforts to assist their student populations in surviving the downturn. Of the responding high schools, 46 percent reported that they were planning changes in student programs and services related to college counseling to reflect changes in the economy. Of those reporting changes, 72 percent are planning more counseling sessions on financial aid. The efforts to address the economic impact on college admission reflects NACAC’s efforts to inform students and families of scholarship, grant and loan information with free Webinars on the Basics of Borrowing for College and Financial Aid.
Below is a brief summary of the results. Visit nacacnet.org for the complete fact sheet and data tables.
High Schools
- Over 80 percent of secondary schools had counseling department staff numbers frozen for the 2009-10 academic year. Ten percent reported decreases in staff.
- Public schools were almost twice as likely as private schools to report increases in enrollment for 2009-10 (47 percent vs. 26 percent). Public schools were almost twice as likely as private schools to report increases in enrollment for 2009-10 (47 percent vs. 26 percent). Consequently, a much higher proportion of public schools (45 percent vs. 17 percent) reported increases in student/counselor ratios, and the average increase was more than 50 students per counselor, compared to 16 for private schools.
- Sixty-two percent of private schools experienced an increase in the number of students transferring out for financial reasons, and more than three-quarters (77 percent) increased the grant aid awarded to students.
- Forty-five percent of secondary schools reported an increase in the number of students who were placed on a wait list for Fall 2009 admission, and almost 40 percent saw an increase in the number admitted off wait lists.
Colleges
- Forty-four percent of colleges reported decreases in overall yield rates.
- Among strategies used and/or planned to meet enrollment goals, the most commonly cited strategy that colleges reported was accepting a greater number of applicants (67 percent), followed closely by offering larger grant aid packages (53 percent) and offering grant aid to a greater number of students (52 percent).
- Almost half (48 percent) of colleges reported an increase in freshmen enrollment, and 54 percent reported an increase in transfer enrollment. Public colleges were somewhat more likely than privates to report an increase in freshmen enrollment (58 percent vs. 44 percent), and they were much more likely to report an increase in transfer enrollment (72 percent vs. 45 percent).
About NACAC:
NACAC is an Arlington, VA-based education association of more than 11,000 secondary school counselors, independent counselors, college admission and financial aid officers, enrollment managers, and organizations that work with students as they make the transition from high school to postsecondary education. The association, founded in 1937, is committed to maintaining high standards that foster ethical and social responsibility among those involved in the transition process, as outlined in the NACAC Statement of Principles of Good Practice. More information about NACAC is available at www.nacacnet.org.