Following several months of delays and setbacks, the U.S. Department of Education unveiled its long-awaited new FAFSA form in December 2023. However, the release was not without its challenges, causing complications that have left prospective students uncertain about their financial aid status. Due to these changes, Longwood University Admissions has been put under pressure to alleviate these concerns and get information out to these prospective students as soon as possible.
For context, Federal Student Aid – an office under the U.S. Department of Education – revamped the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form last year, a process with the goal of making the form easier and more accessible for families. However, the form opened late due to vast changes in the way student aid is calculated – as well as both glitches and technical errors. Another error occurred in January, in which there was a mistake with the new inflation calculator.
Longwood Director of Admissions Jason “Ferg” Ferguson said, “I feel sorry for our families, especially those ones where they are first-generation or new to the process. It's making an already overwhelming and scary process even scarier.” He added, “We've been out in front of this even before the second delay, making sure families understand we're here and we'll help you navigate.”
Ferguson pointed to a number of different tactics related to communication with families, including both weekly written communication and website resources. Families hear comments from Ferguson and other staff members through a texting campaign. Furthermore, Ferguson said an FAQ page will soon be live on the Admissions website for families.
While Ferguson could not provide specific information about where deposit numbers stood for incoming students, he did say he was currently “pleased” with them. He also said he does not believe the FAFSA delay has made getting students to come to the university more difficult for Admissions, saying “We've been deliberate about telling folks, if this is where you want to be, we want to get you here and we want to show you all we have to offer,” also adding, “Knowing sometimes finances are gonna play a big part of that, we're going to be there for you and we're going to work with you.”
Ferguson said that prospective student visits to the university have also kept pace. According to Ferguson, the open house event held by Longwood was “one of the most well attended [they've] ever had,” stressing, “people are making the effort to come here because they're interested in Longwood.” Ferguson also pointed at an increase in interest for the Honors College, also saying in regards to the nursing program, “Nursing is strong and will always be strong.”
Back on the logistical side of things, Ferguson also said in regards to merit aid packages, “the government has told us we're going to start getting information towards the end of March. We think if that happens, realistically, we're looking within about two and a half weeks of getting
financial offers out there.” However, he added, “That all is dependent on what the government's going to do and how they're going to treat things.” Ferguson also mentioned that they are “investigating” moving the May 1 deposit deadline, though said “we haven't moved yet.”
For current students, this is different. According to the Financial Aid office’s FAQ, the delay “means that you will have to wait until mid-May (after grades are posted) to receive your financial aid offer.” The Financial Aid office also recently moved to Radcliff Hall, which Ferguson referred to as a “godsend.”
Radcliff HallPhoto by Anthony Anderson
