March 15 update: This story has been updated to reflect that Purdue University pushed back its enrollment deadline to May 15.
University of Indianapolis announced Feb. 6 that it will move its enrollment deadline back a month, from May 1 to June 1.
Indiana University Bloomington announced this week it will postpone its deadline two weeks, to May 15.
They are among dozens of colleges and universities that are moving back their deadlines to account for significant delays from the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The form’s overhaul was intended to make the financial aid application process more user-friendly and expand Pell Grant eligibility. But in reality, there have been glitches and access issues — not to mention the form didn’t go online until the end of December. In normal years, students would have been able to fill it out as early as Oct. 1.
May 1 is National College Decision Day, or the day that many four-year colleges require high school seniors to have enrolled for freshman year. But this year, things are different. On Jan. 30, the federal Department of Education said it would not begin to send FAFSA information to colleges and universities until mid-March.
That gives schools just a few weeks to compile data and send financial aid offers in time for students to decide where they want to go to college. By shifting back the deadline, schools such as the University of Indianapolis hope students will be able to make their college decisions with financial aid in mind.
“We hope this extension helps students and families breathe a big sigh of relief,” Steve Schuetz, UIndy’s interim vice president for enrollment management, said in a Feb. 6 news release. “Students shouldn’t feel rushed to make such an important decision.”
What are other Indy schools doing?
While the University of Indianapolis is the only Indianapolis school to officially move its deposit date back a month, other area colleges say FAFSA and its effect is on their radar.
Butler University’s admissions website will “offer flexibility” with enrollment deposit deadlines by accepting deposits after May 1.
The website also said that Butler will be “generous in refunding deposits” after May 1. Melissa Smurdon, Butler’s executive director of financial aid, said the university wants to be available for students who are ready to enroll by the normal decision day, but also account for students who need financial aid to make a final decision.
“If a student starts that (enrollment) process with us and the final financial aid offer does not make it possible, that’s where we want to be flexible and really work with them individually,” Smurdon said.
Marian University is sticking with a May 1 deadline for now, said Brad Wucher, Marian’s vice president for enrollment, marketing and communications. However, he said that’s subject to change. He encouraged accepted seniors to relax and enjoy their last weeks of high school.
“We’ll figure out a way to get it done so you’re not gonna be sitting on a curb come August,” he said.
Purdue University announced Feb. 21 that it would push back its enrollment deadline to May 15.
Indiana University Indianapolis — which will officially separate from Purdue in July — has a June 1 priority deadline, but deposits and enrollments are typically accepted well into the summer, a spokesperson said.
Claire Rafford covers higher education for Mirror Indy in partnership with Open Campus.
Contact higher ed reporter Claire Rafford at claire.rafford@mirrorindy.org or on X/Instagram @clairerafford.