FAFSA delays affect college decision day in the Big Country

ABILENE, Texas ( KTAB/KRBC ) — Across the country, May 1 signifies the first step in higher education: National Decision Day. This year, due to delays caused by FAFSA form changes, many colleges have extended the deadline.

The college decision process has always been known to be stressful. Abilene Christian School senior Madison Wick said the anxiety about college has always been prevalent as she progressed through school.

“We are very focused on talking about college. A lot of our teachers have talked to us about the application process, about what college will cost, about our SATs and ACTs,” Wick said. “I think [for] everybody, there’s a certain level of just trying to figure everything out and some stress.”

The delay in student aid packages and the sharing of benefits packages for grants and loans has affected many universities, such as Abilene Christian University. Marlow Rogers, director of recruitment, told KTAB/KRBC about the ways the university has been trying to combat it besides the extended deadline.

“We essentially built a plan so we could give them a rough estimate based on what we think they would receive from the federal government based on years past and data,” Rogers explained. “This caused quite a few delays just in terms of processing, getting financial aid out to students, and letting them make decisions on their college choice.”

Wick said she hopes that, given the challenges the college process has been experiencing in the past few years, it will be easier for the ones coming after her.

“I think as we start to come back and COVID and the FAFSA form gets ironed out, things will be easier for the next few generations,” Wick said.

The first round of financial aid packages has been sent to universities and potential students, and the next batch will be sent out as soon as possible.

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