Arizona Board of Regents
High Honors Tuition Scholarship

April 13, 2009

The Arizona Board of Regents has decided to retain the "AIMS Scholarship" or "Regents High Honors Tuition" scholarship with the existing eligibility criteria for the graduating classes of 2009 and 2010. All college students currently receiving this scholarship will continue to do so if they meet the renewal criteria set by the universities. The impact on the class of 2011 and subsequent class has yet to be determined. The Arizona Department of Education will keep our website updated (www.ade.az.gov/asd/tuitionwaiver) on any Arizona Board of Regents decisions regarding this scholarship.

March 16, 2009

On Friday, March 13, the Arizona Board of Regents voted to retain the "AIMS Scholarship" or "Regents High Honors Tuition" scholarship and current eligibility criteria for the 2009 Cohort. They are committed to honoring the existing scholarships and the Class of 2009 students who meet the eligibility requirements for this scholarship. The Board of Regents asked that recommendations be given at their upcoming April meeting of options for possible scholarship adjustments for the 2010 and 2011 cohorts. They want to do what they can to assist Arizona students in obtaining financial aid and scholarships in light of their severe cutbacks and difficult financial times.

The next Arizona Board of Regents meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2009, at the University of Arizona. The Agenda and more information will be posted at least a week prior on their website at www.azregents.edu.

February 11, 2009

Many of you have been made aware of the recent press release and email sent out by Arizona State University to current students receiving the AIMS Scholarship informing them that "...ASU is also suspending funding of its AIMS scholarship program. - http://www.asu.edu/budgetcuts)." We have received notification from the Arizona Board of Regents that the program cuts listed in the ASU news release dated February 10, 2009, including the suspension of the AIMS Scholarship Program, is a list of proposed budget cuts. Any suspension of the AIMS Scholarship Program must be voted upon and approved by the Arizona Board of Regents. Superintendent Tom Horne, a voting member of the Arizona Board of Regents, has stated that he will work vigorously to defeat the suspension to the AIMS Scholarship Program. The Arizona Department of Education has no control over the universities’ budget decisions. We are seeking additional information from ABOR and from all three universities. As soon as we receive information, we post the information on our website (www.ade.az.gov) under "Hot Topics". If you would like to receive a email notification of any news updates, please submit your name and email address to Shannon Tucker at shannon.tucker@azed.gov. As you can imagine, our phone and email account is being inundated so we are unable to respond to individual questions at this time. We appreciate your understanding and patience.

University Financial Aid Contact Phone Numbers:
Arizona State University: 480-965-3040
University of Arizona: 520-621-1858
Northern Arizona University: 928-523-4951

ABOR Statement in response to 2.12.09 ASU Media Release

ABOR Meeting Agenda - March 12 & 13, 2009

 

Contact Information

Academic Achievement Division
Arizona Department of Education
1535 West Jefferson Street, Bin 21
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Tel: (602) 542-4391
Fax: (602) 542-3100
Program Project Specialist: Shannon Tucker
Email: Shannon.Tucker@azed.gov