KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — At Carson-Newman University, educators are working around the clock to help students file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The school is one of many across East Tennessee that said they are seeing lower rates of students completing the FAFSA.
"They have been delayed, and they've been needing more assistance," said Charles A. Fowler, President of Carson-Newman University. "We don't want them to get anxious and frustrated, and decide, well, 'I'll just sit out a year.'"
Educators said the low completion rates are likely the result of some changes to the application. In 2023, the Department of Education updated the application, which led to a later launch date and a crashing system when some students tried to access their applications.
"Their changes have been so monumental, it's going to feel like every student's first time to do the FAFSA because it's so different," said Fowler.
Fewer than 52% of students in Tennessee have completed the FAFSA. Educators are urging students across the state to still file the FAFSA, reminding them that the application is free and can result in thousands of dollars in financial aid to attend college.
"Get the FAFSA completed, and then be patient and let the institutions put together a financial aid package for you," said Claude Pressnell, President of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association. "This debacle with the FAFSA implementation could have a more detrimental impact on enrollment than COVID did."
Leaders said fewer FAFSA submissions can lead to low numbers of students enrolling in college, or students deciding not to go to college at all. Students may also decide to stop attending college midway through their degree program.
"We're talking about more of a process issue, than a funding issue, at this point. The money will be there — be patient," said Pressnell.
The FAFSA is still open for the 2024-2025 school year, and education leaders said students should still apply for financial aid. Some colleges also said they are changing the filing deadline due to issues completing the form.