Wayne State, Central Michigan push back deadlines because of FAFSA delay
- Wayne State, Central Michigan push back deadlines to help accommodate financial aid changes
- The rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has been rocky
- Resources are available for students and parents to keep track of key dates and contacts for financial aid
Some Michigan colleges and universities are pushing back deadlines to help prospective students handle delays related to a revamped federal financial aid form.
Wayne State University and Central Michigan University have both extended their enrollment deposit deadlines from May 1 to June 1.
Students pay an enrollment deposit when they commit to colleges or universities. Now, students have until another month to request a refund from that deposit if they choose to not attend the school.
CMU also moved its housing deposit deadline to June 1 and Kalamazoo College is extending its commitment deadline to June 1.
Related:
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- Central Michigan University departing president in line for $1.2M in payments
- New FAFSA form: What MI students need to know about 2024-2025 application
- 3.0 GPA now guarantees admission to 10 Michigan public universities
More schools may follow as students and schools deal with a different financial aid timeline than previous years.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that potential and current college students fill out with their financial information to qualify for need-based scholarships and grants.
The form has been revamped in an effort to make it simpler. But it was rolled out later than usual, and the federal government told colleges and universities they will have to wait longer to get student financial information needed to make financial aid offers.
These delays push back when colleges can send financial aid offers and compresses the timeline for students to select a school.
“Upon learning that FAFSA information will be delayed in reaching higher education institutions until mid-March, Wayne State made a decision to allow you more time to make a well-informed college decision,” the university’s website states.
“This is why we've extended our traditional May 1 deadline, for all fall 2024 admitted students, to June 1.”
The Michigan College Access Network, a group that works to increase college access, has compiled a list of financial aid updates from Michigan schools.
The list will be regularly-updated and includes information on deadlines, who to contact for financial aid questions and when schools anticipate to start sending out financial aid offers to students.
As of Thursday, according to the list, several schools said they may extend enrollment deposit deadlines.
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