WASHINGTON

The percentage of full-time undergraduate students at private colleges and universities who receive some form of financial aid, and the average amount of their awards, reached new highs in the 1999-2000 academic year, according to the U.S. Department of Education's 1999-2000 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study.

Eighty-four percent of full-time undergraduates at private institutions received financial aid during the 1999-2000 academic year, with an average total financial aid award of $13,700. The average award grew by 27 percent from 1995-1996.

In addition, increases in institutional grant aid provided to students at private institutions continue to outpace increases in other forms of aid.

* The average institutional grant award was $7,300 in 1999-2000, compared to $5,600 in 1995-1996 -- an increase of 30 percent. Fifty-nine percent of full-time undergraduates at private colleges received institutional grant aid in 1999-2000, compared to 56 percent four years earlier.

* The average federal grant award was $2,700 in 1999-2000, compared to $2,300 in 1995-1996 -- an increase of 17 percent. Twenty-eight percent of full-time undergraduates at private colleges received federal grant aid in 1999-2000 and 1995-1996.

* The average state grant award was $2,600 in 1999-2000, compared to $2,200 in 1995-1996 -- an increase of 18 percent. Twenty-six percent of full-time undergraduates at private colleges received state grant aid in 1999-2000, compared to 28 percent four years earlier. …