In an attempt to corral low-income students who wouldn't otherwise have considered attending the university, Harvard announced this week that it will no longer ask parents who earn less than $40,000 a year to contribute to the tuition of their student.

Families with incomes between $40,000 and $60,000 will also see some relief in the amount they are expected to pay.

Anna Griswold, assistant vice provost for enrollment management and student aid at Penn State, said any effort on the part of a university to assess and adjust for families struggling to pay tuition is important.

"I believe that somewhere down the road, this country will realize the importance of an educated public," Griswold said.

As of now, parents of Harvard students who make less than $40,000 are expected to pay an average of $2,300 every year, and those who make between $40,000 and $60,000 are expected to contribute $3,500 annually, according to the university's Web site.

Under the new plan, $3,500 will be cut to $2,250, and $2,300 will be cut to zero, starting this fall.

The efforts are geared mainly at reaching out to academically talented, low-income students who would consider Harvard too expensive.

Shafin Jethwani (freshman-computer science) recalled a conversation with a fellow Penn State student who scored a 1570 on her SAT but avoided Ivy League schools because of their higher tuition.

"I just don't think that money should hold you back from going somewhere in life," Jethwani said.

While Griswold said the initiative was a positive step, she also noted key differences between Harvard and Penn State. She explained that because Harvard's private endowment is so much larger than those of public schools, this type of initiative is not feasible at a state-related university such as Penn State.

Sara Paull (senior-English) said she wondered if the burden would fall more heavily on students after they graduate.

"I could see how it's designed to help, but I know eventually bills have to be paid," she said.

This year, tuition at Harvard is $26,066, but with room, board and books, the cost can reach $40,000. According to Penn State's student aid office, projected 2004-05 in-state tuition at University Park is $10,743. Out-of-state tuition is expected to be $20,697.

Jessica Adley (junior-secondary education) said the Harvard initiative is a step in the right direction to combat the rising costs of a college education, but added that she realized public universities face a more uphill battle.

"It would be really nice if it would expand to other schools, but it'll never happen here, ever," Adley said.

Griswold predicted that other major private institutions may follow Harvard's lead because of competition, but many smaller universities would not be able to match those efforts.

Griswold also said that hopes for a decrease in tuition for public schools such as Penn State are subject to the discretion of federal and state governments. While federal funding has remained at a fairly consistent rate, state funding has dropped in recent years.

"We're losing ground, and that's a very difficult situation," she added.