No more funding for merit

The University of Texas at Austin is ending participation in the National Merit Scholarship Program, the largest single campus departure in years from the program, which enjoys considerable prestige in some circles but is controversial in others. The university plans to shift the funds to need-based aid.

Isnt it interesting that in a time of financial crisis, academic institutions are changeing their focus from providing funding to students who have achieved academically to give money to those based on need. Is this telling that student that academic achievement is no longer important?

While academic institutions do what they do for various reasons it is shameful for a school to pull a merit based funding. Students need to steer clear of school based funding and seek other resources to fund their education.