Obama-Named Financial Aid Program Expanded at ASU; Families Earning up to $60,000 Qualify

Arizona State University's Barack Obama scholars program, which is named after the President because ASU had to do something after denying Obama an honorary degree, is one generous spending package.The university just ramped up the qualifying family income ceiling to $60,000 for students awarded the Obama ride. The ceiling had...
Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix


Arizona State University’s Barack Obama scholars program, which is named after the President because ASU had to do something after denying Obama an honorary degree, is one generous spending package.

The university just ramped up the qualifying family income ceiling to $60,000 for students awarded the Obama ride. The ceiling had been $25,000. The program, previously called ASU Advantage, will cover the full cost of attendance at ASU for 1,600 freshmen this fall, instead of the 500 covered last year.

The cost of the students’ tuition, room and board, books and the massive new “economic recovery surcharge” will be covered by a combination of scholarships, grants, and other funding sources. ASU will trot out some of the program’s beneficiaries when Obama comes to Tempe on May 13 to speak at ASU’s commencement ceremony.

Just think — Instead of all that, ASU almost just gave the guy a degree.

When news happens, Phoenix New Times is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.

We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If New Times matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.

$30,000

GET MORE COVERAGE LIKE THIS

Sign up for the This Week’s Top Stories newsletter to get the latest stories delivered to your inbox

Loading latest posts...