(First in a two-part series) The University of Virginia has a spending problem when it comes to financial aid. Roughly a decade ago, the school's Board of Visitors signed what was, in effect, a blank check, approving a new marquee financial aid program called AccessUVa. Compared to similar programs at other leading public universities, AccessUVa is generous, according to consultants hired by the school. It also has grown far faster than university officials expected. And the bill is staggering. AccessUVa now costs about $92 million, $40 million coming directly from the university, accordin...