Ball State pushes enrollment deadline after FAFSA delays
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Ball State University is extending its enrollment confirmation deadline in response to significant disruptions and delays with the Free Application for Student Aid, the university announced Tuesday.
The Muncie university’s deadline was pushed from May 1 to June 1.
“Pursuing higher education and achieving a degree can have a transformative impact on one’s life. Therefore, it’s crucial not to rush such a significant decision,” Paula Luff, vice president for enrollment planning and management, said in a news release. “This extension provides students and their families the opportunity and flexibility to carefully evaluate their financial aid options and make well-informed choices.”
The U.S. Department of Education said it looks to begin transmitting FAFSA data in mid-March, but the university said it will be several weeks before all data is received. Financial aid award letters will be sent to accepted students in mid-to-late April.
Ball State joins Purdue University, which punted its deadline to mid-May following the postponement of institutions receiving FAFSA information which informs students’ aid packages.
The U.S. Department of Education announced colleges won’t receive applicants’ FAFSA information until March at the earliest.
The FAFSA was refreshed this year to make it easier and reduce barriers for students eligible for aid. However, the form’s rocky rollout has been reported as strenuous on families and difficult for universities since financial aid decisions have been postponed.