Problems with the revamped Free Application for Federal Student Aid program – known as FAFSA – are slowing the college enrollment process for high school seniors and college administrators. Zac Lewis is the director of Central Student Services at Eastern Kentucky University. He said most years, EKU begins receiving FAFSA documents in October for the following school year. However, that isn't the case this year.
“They would normally expect a lot of their EKU-specific financial aid information right now. And we just don't have it, and most of that is actually because of the transmission issues that we're experiencing with the federal government, the Department of Education.”
Lewis said there is an upside to the new FAFSA -- for most students, there are fewer questions and the financial disclosure process is simpler. That said, he sympathizes with high school seniors who’re getting nervous.
“There's kind of an increased anxiety about the finer details of the cost of what it would look like to attend college. These students are already looking past their high school graduation and trying to figure out where their future plans are.”
Lewis advises students waiting on FAFSA to be patient, pay attention to their emails and ask questions.
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