FAFSA delays cause high school seniors decision anxiety

Jackie Elson
·2 min read

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – May 1 usually marks decision day for high school seniors excited to take their next steps toward higher education, but the botched rollout of a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid application has left millions still wondering if they can go to college.

Students are frustrated that they are still waiting to learn if they qualify for federal student aid. High school teachers are helping their students cope with the delays.

A time of celebration marred by uncertainty,

“Normally, at this point in the year, most of our kids definitely have an idea as to where they’re going, and this year it’s been much different,” Darham Rogers, a teacher in the AVID program at Wichita East High School.

Rogers sees the struggles firsthand.

“First-generation and lower-income students absolutely are dependent upon money from the federal government and can’t make those final decisions until they know exactly how much they’re going to get,” Rogers said.

2024 high school grads could face nearly $37K in college debt

Camren Davis is a senior at East High. He is hoping for a track and field scholarship, but issues with the FAFSA form are preventing him from updating his application.

“I don’t exactly know where I’m going yet, so I wanted to add schools and switch what schools are on there, and I just couldn’t,” Davis said.

Colleges like Newman University are pushing back their deadline for students to decide because of the FAFSA delays.

Rogers tells his students to “just be patient” to make the best decision for their financial future.

“We want our kids to be able to get that degree, find out what they want to do in life, and go out and do it, and be financially self-sufficient and not be saddled with a lot of student debt afterwards,” Rogers said.

Federal education officials say they are still working to correct issues with the FAFSA form. The Education Department says applications are now being processed within three days.

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