The Washington Post
August 07, 2024 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
The Education department recently announced starting October 1, they will launch the 2025-2026 FAFSA form in phases to assist in identifying and resolving system errors based on the feedback from a limited set of student users. This extra precaution is implemented to identify and fix the same technical glitches and bureaucratic delays experienced in the 2024-2025 form. Testing protocols will further ensure an easy navigation for users before the application is made available to all students on or before December 1. Congressional Republicans as well as the Interim President and Chief Executive of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators believe the form should not be launched in phases, but rather rolled out on the anticipated October 1 date that has been a norm since 2016.
Inside Higher Ed
August 05, 2024 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Higher Education institutions are faced with immense financial pressure that is causing shifts in employment, budget allocations, academic programming, etc. Factors that contributed to this shift include rising operational costs and declining enrollment, which is connected to the issues faced with the newly implemented yet problematic FAFSA form. Specifically, eight higher education institutions were forced to adjust their regulatory operations this upcoming fiscal year.
HIGHER ED DIVE
July 31, 2024 Admissions
The U.S Department of Education has recently decided to not allow colleges to make corrections to the 2024-2025 FAFSA form. This unexpected change will burden college administrators and delay financial aid for college students. There has been a shift in focus regarding allocating resources for the redevelopment of the 2025-2026 FASFA, which is intended to be released on October 1. The House of Representatives Education Committee has subpoenaed the Education department to further assist with monitoring their dissemination of documents and communications.
HIGHER ED DIVE
July 22, 2024 Pre-College Outreach, Admissions
The competitive nature of student recruitment at higher education institutions is a contributing factor to the debate on increased tuition sticker prices. Sticker prices signify to college students (prospective and current) the quality of education rather than the cost of tuition and fees after deducting grants and scholarships. With institutions trying to reach a specific diverse threshold and academic student demographic, finding a balance between being marketable without devaluing the institution’s prestige is a necessity. Conducting an academic reset to properly signify a more accurate net price of tuition is a solution that some institutions are adopting.
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.
The Washington Post
January 03, 2024 Admissions
The new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has been launched online with improved changes. It aims to simplify the application process, making it easier for a larger pool of students to access financial assistance with altered eligibility. A couple changes include reduced number of questions, more data directly uploaded, adjustments to eligibility criteria and the transition to the Student Aid Index, potentially expanding Pell Grant eligibility for millions of students, ending the ban for incarcerated students. The application deadline for the 2024-25 academic year is June 30, 2025.
Higher Ed. Dive
December 13, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Concerns regarding selective college enrollment have grown in the wake of high-profile university scandals and the recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the use of race in admissions. A few institutions have begun to introduce direct admission programs, which automatically accepts students based on academic information such as GPA. Advocates for the policy say it can boost students’ confidence and help them understand they are college material. Though results are generally positive, it depends on the policy design.
Higher Ed. Dive
November 29, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Highly selective universities are facing criticism concerning their early decision policies favoring affluent and wealthy students, and children of alumni and donors. Early decision demands a commitment to a university without revealing financial aid packages, hence perpetuating inequality through inconsideration of the financial affordability of students. Despite arguments to foster a more equitable and inclusive admission process, universities continue to maintain early decision policies to gain a competitive edge. There has been limited action to eliminate this policy, but some universities have said they will be reconsidering.
Higher Ed. Dive
November 14, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
There has been ongoing debate regarding university admissions considering legacy applicant status in admissions decisions. Many universities report conflicting information regarding their use, and definition, of legacy admissions consideration. Some policymakers, pundits and even college leaders have campaigned to end the practice since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down race-conscious admissions this summer, arguing it gives an unfair edge to wealthy and White applicants.
Inside Higher Ed.
October 26, 2023 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s latest enrollment report, undergraduate enrollment climbed by 2.1 percent this fall, its first total increase since 2020. Enrollment increases for Black, Latino and Asian students—by 2.2 percent, 4.4 percent and 4 percent, respectively—were especially notable after last year’s declines. However, freshman enrollment declined by 3.6 percent, nearly undoing last year’s gain of 4.6 percent and leaving first-year enrollment less than a percentage point higher than it was in fall 2021, during the height of the pandemic. Those declines were most pronounced for white students and at four-year institutions with lower acceptance rates, reversing years of growth trends for the most selective colleges and universities.