Inside Higher Ed
April 17, 2024
The Education Department announced a high number of errors and miscalculations in the FAFSA form submissions as compared to previous years, making an already long process longer. The high error rate is due to challenges faced by lower income level students and counselors in navigating the new form design, leading to missing signatures and parental consent pages. Many students encountered operational challenges with the correction portal, further delaying the FAFSA corrections. In response, colleges are attempting to manually adjust calculations to streamline and accelerate the process as deadlines approach.
Inside Higher Ed
March 27, 2024
The budget allocated to the Department of Education by Congress reflects a slight decrease from last year, with some adjustments in funding for various programs. Proposals to double the maximum Pell Grant per student, increase investments for those with low-income backgrounds, and financial aid programs were dismissed. An increase in funding for minority serving institutions was included. Though drastic cuts were not made, necessary increases to minimally account for inflation will continue to be advocated for.
Inside Higher Ed
March 07, 2024
A new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center indicates an increase in the number of transfer students, particularly for historically disadvantaged groups, Black, Hispanic, and rural students. An increase in upward transfers from two-year community colleges to four-year institutions and across gender and age demographics is notable. Institutions have adjusted policies for students to support efficient completion and foster equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students.
Higher Ed Dive
February 29, 2024
The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) is urging colleges to address the enrollment challenges due to post pandemic learning loss among K-12 students. Suggestions to analyze assessment results, identify readiness challenges, and provide tutoring support to K-12 schools have been highlighted.
Diverse
February 21, 2024
The U.S. Department of Education recently announced additional steps to facilitate submitting the 2024–25 FAFSA form. To date, it is estimated that nearly 4 million forms have been successfully submitted, with time to complete reduced to as little as 15 minutes. However, given ongoing challenges, the Department of Education is dedicating $50 million in funding for personnel and resources, including technical assistance and support for institutions, students, and families.
Inside Higher Ed
February 01, 2024
Another FAFSA delay has been announced by the Department of Education, and colleges will likely not receive applicant’s federal aid information until March. There are rising concerns among education officials for students dependent on financial aid offers, especially low income and first generation applicants. Universities may be forced to push their usual May 1 student commitment deadlines back to June or July. This delay was attributed to various errors including a calculation oversight not accounting for inflation in the new Student Aid Index.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
January 31, 2024
The proportion of in-state freshman enrollment has been seen as a declining trend over the past two decades, particularly evident in public flagship universities. Institutions that prioritize a higher proportion of out-of-state students may gain increased tuition revenue, but this comes at the expense of losing in-state support in the long term. While 75% of colleges still admit a majority of in-state freshmen, a dozen have shifted their enrollment trends. Hence, the variation in enrollment of in-state and out of state freshmen in different flagship universities highlights variable enrollment strategies across institutions.
University Business
January 25, 2024
Numerous states and programs have launched a variety of free scholarship and grant initiatives for high school students in need of financial assistance. Institutions have effectively utilized Direct Admissions programs as a strategy to boost enrollment rates. These efforts have resulted in a significant surge in enrollment, incentivizing students to stay close to home and enter the local workforce. However, expanded access and affordability for students through these increased initiatives could result in staff exhaustion and an excessively high student enrollment.
Higher Ed. Dive
January 18, 2024 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
The higher education landscape was changed dramatically due to a series of court decisions last year, and the coming year will see rulings on additional lawsuits that could further alter college and university practices. The article outlines five current lawsuits and their potential impact.
Higher Ed. Dive
January 08, 2024
Institutions of higher education continue to face challenges that impact operations. The effects of the delayed Free Application for Federal Student Aid, political unrest, and continued financial strain are currently front of mind. Increased consolidation, problems with the federal aid program, attacks on diversity initiatives (including the recent Supreme Court ruling), lawsuits regarding policies of the Biden administration, difficulties facing ed tech companies, and the emergence of artificial intelligence in higher education are education trends to continue to watch.