Colleges Nationwide Extend Enrollment Deadlines Due to FAFSA Delays

Institutions across the U.S. are giving students more time to decide as the updated FAFSA form's technical issues cause widespread delays.

The State University of New York (SUNY) and colleges in the D.C. area are pushing back enrollment deadlines to mid-May or later, in response to the delayed rollout of the streamlined Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
SUNY Chancellor John King emphasizes the importance of flexibility and understanding for students and families during this period of confusion and delays.
The updated FAFSA, introduced by the U.S. Department of Education, features fewer questions and expanded eligibility but was launched months later than usual with significant glitches.
Colleges are unable to receive FAFSA data until March, delaying financial aid offers and pressuring institutions to extend various related deadlines.
Some institutions, like Johns Hopkins University, are using alternative financial aid forms like the CSS Profile to make institutional aid offers in the meantime.