U. of Oxford’s New Chief Calls for American-Style Financial Aid

The University of Oxford’s new vice chancellor, who takes office on Thursday, has courted controversy in his first interview with a British newspaper by stating that the relatively generous undergraduate financial aid the university now offers — about $16,900 — is not enough. British universities should offer American-style support packages, Andrew Hamilton, who was formerly provost of Yale University, told The Guardian.

As Britain prepares for a review of the current cap on tuition, and some university leaders have even suggested that top institutions break free from government support and its restraints, the article notes that Mr. Hamilton’s “comments will fuel speculation that the top universities also want to charge American rates for degrees.”