Regents tighten criteria for int'l student waivers

Under the new policy, international students currently attending Arizona's three state universities without tuition waivers cannot apply for waivers in the future.

The policy sets up new criteria for students who receive the waivers. Students must maintain a 3.25 GPA, complete a 20-hour-per-semester community service requirement and enroll in a minimum of 24 units per academic year.

The previous criteria for the scholarships included a 3.00 minimum GPA and financial need. Preference was given to students enrolled at the University of Arizona for two regular semesters.

International student enrollment was 2,050 during the fall semester.

Marianella Rodriguez, a molecular and cellular biology junior from Panama, said she was upset when she heard about the policy change.

"I was really mad because when I first tried to apply they said I had to be here for two semesters before I could qualify," Rodriguez said. "Now that I've been here a year, they say I can't qualify for the scholarship because I'm not a new student."

Rodriguez also said the new policy is unfair because it gives priority to incoming students instead of those who have established themselves at the university.

The policy changes the selection criteria but does not cut the number of waivers, said David Currey, assistant director of the Center for Global Student Programs.

Students already on tuition waivers and students enrolling in the university for the first time are eligible for one of 73 scholarships, he said.

According to Currey, the board was considering more drastic changes to the policy.

"The Financial Aid Office was successful in defending these programs and was able to prevent their total demise," he said.

Currey said the Global Student Programs office was not given a specific reason for the new criteria, but he believes the undergraduate enrollment decline over the past few years was a factor in their decision.

Currey said the new policy will not decrease the interest in international students to the UA campus.

"I receive 15 to 20 inquiries every day requesting admission and financial aid opportunities for international undergraduates at the UA," he said. "Since the change allows offering non-resident waivers to international students at the point of first enrollment, this has opened a flood of interest."