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Diving overview:
- Delays in federal financial aid have led at least 190 U.S. colleges and universities to postpone their commitment deadlines for the 2024-25 academic year. According to the National Association of College Admissions Counseling.
- NACAC recently released a public list of registration deadlines for member colleges and universities. This list is not comprehensive because it only includes information submitted by NACAC members, but it does provide a glimpse into how colleges and universities across the country are grappling with shortened financial aid timelines.
- The majority of NACAC member institutions that have reported extended deadlines now require prospective students to decide whether to: May 15th or June 1stIn the directory it appears instead of the traditional May 1st date.
Dive Insights:
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid form underwent major revisions this application cycle, causing significant delays..
The updated FAFSA is intended to make filling out the infamous form less of a headache for students and their families. However, the U.S. Department of Education released a simplified version late last year, about three months later than usual. Technical difficulties and last minute changes to secondary formulas more complex problem.
The agency initially said it would transmit FAFSA applicant information to colleges in late January. Before pushing back the transfer date again first half of march. The shortened timeline gives applicants less time to evaluate financial aid options.
When announcing deadline extensions, college leaders often cited their desire to give applicants back lost time to consider their options.
For example, the Pennsylvania state higher education system Ten campuses have postponed their decision deadlines until at least May 15.
“Going to college and earning a degree or certificate is life-changing, and you shouldn’t rush this decision,” said Dan Greenstein, the system’s president. In a February statement. “This extension gives students time and flexibility to consider their financial aid options and make informed decisions.”
George Mason University in Virginia also pushed back its admissions deadline to May 15, citing similar grounds. Two-thirds of students receive financial aid; According to the announcement.
“Like other colleges and universities in the region, we want them to have time to consider the offers available to them and make the best college decision for themselves and their families,” said David Burge, George Mason’s vice president for enrollment management. From the statement.
Last month, a senior Education Department official said he supported an extension. The right thing for universities to do.
So far, about two dozen NACAC members, including the University of Arizona, the University of Richmond and Juilliard College in New York, have said they will not change the decision deadline. And nearly 40 people reported they were still weighing the possibilities.
Ten international institutions open to U.S. students also extended their decision deadlines, according to NACAC.