"Applications for scholarships and other financial aid are up by double-digit percentage points at area universities, putting pressure on the schools to try to meet some of the need from their own funds," the Fort Worth Star Telegram reports. "Layoffs, pay cuts, unpaid furloughs and a general demand for a college education have prompted more parents and students to look to universities for help, in addition to federal and state sources. In response, the University of Texas at Arlington boosted its scholarship and fellowship budget by 22 percent to $18.3 million for the next school year to help meet requests. And 20 percent of any university-designated tuition increase goes to financial aid, said Kristin Sullivan, UT-Arlington assistant vice president for media relations."