FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo has been named one of the top universities in the state for financial aid by Lendedu.com, earning high marks for student scholarships, grants, student loans and work-study programs.

Lendedu.com recently released its list of the Best Colleges for Financial Aid in Alabama, and UM ranked in the top five. It ranked the highest among public universities in central Alabama.

According to the study, more than 90 percent of UM students who are eligible for need-based financial aid receive it, which is the highest percent of any public university in the state.

“Our University family is keenly aware of the acute financial needs that challenge our students. We are very proud of this accolade because it demonstrates that students come first at Montevallo,” said Dr. John W. Stewart III, UM president. “The faculty and staff at our institution work every day to ensure that Montevallo students receive a life-changing education at a reasonable cost.”

The website based the rankings on data from the National Center for Education Statistics and Peterson’s Financial Aid Dataset, and considered need-based financial aid, non-need-based financial aid and financial aid for international students.