Enrolling in college this year has been particularly challenging for students, especially those who rely on summer classes to finish their degrees quickly or save money. Changes to the federal financial aid system, particularly the FAFSA application process, have caused widespread issues and delays for colleges in making aid offers. The Department of Education has processed over 10 million FAFSA forms but many schools are still behind their typical schedules. This has forced schools to rely on their own systems for calculating costs for students eligible for Pell Grants who want to enroll in the summer. The deadline for summer enrollment leaves little room for error, causing concerns for students and schools alike. Small schools, like Southwestern College, have been working to ensure that Pell funding comes through for students without financial support. However, challenges remain in helping students navigate the FAFSA process and receive their federal financial aid estimates in time for summer classes. The Education Department is allowing schools to make preliminary aid calculations based on estimates until official government numbers are available. Students with special financial circumstances are at risk of having to forgo school this summer due to delays in the financial aid process. Despite improvements in FAFSA processing times, the chaos surrounding financial aid has affected all levels of higher education, leaving many worried about the future of enrollment this summer.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com
Long wait for FAFSA leads to concerns about summer financial aid at certain colleges
