University System of Maryland extends decision day deadline due to FAFSA delays

BALTIMORE -- A change in the FAFSA application process is causing delays in getting universities critical data to create student aid packages.

The University System of Maryland is responding with a decision to extend the undergraduate students' decision deadline.

The deadline has been pushed back from May 1 to May 15.

This could also impact other critical dates, including housing deposit deadlines.

University System of Maryland officials say this deadline could be pushed back even further for some USM universities if there are additional FAFSA delays.

Students and their families waiting for financial aid offers from colleges and universities are packing their patience.

"They would like to get that behind them so that way you can concentrate on your work and not worry if it's going to get paid for," prospective college student Jason Parker said.

A rocky rollout for the new version of the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) late last year is causing a cascade of delays. 

The form is now simpler and expands the number of eligible families for financial aid.

"Students can still fill out the FAFSA and that process is going really well," said Dr. Boyd Bradshaw, Towson University Vice President for Enrollment Management.

However, Bradshaw says a piece of the process is posing challenges after the timeline to fill out the application was set back.

"The Department of Education is not able to give us that information from the FAFSA to make the awards," Bradshaw said. "One of the things that happens is once you apply to colleges and universities, say they received a Pell grant from the Department of Education, the university might also add onto that and that's the piece that we can't do."

With many weighing the full financial picture before making a commitment, Bradshaw said the system is looking to pushback the housing deadlines and orientation dates.

"We're looking back at other deadlines too, our housing deadline, our orientation dates may change, we're adding more visit days," Bradshaw said. "These are the things that we're doing to make it easier for students to understand when they go to make that decision."

USM adds that the FAFSA delays will not impact the amount of aid a student will receive. 

"I think delaying anything is crucial to their success, becoming what they want to become," Parker said.

As for next year, some enrollment officials believe students will once again see the average timeline return with the FAFSA application available to fill out October 1. 

White House officials met on Thursday to discuss solutions to the ongoing delays.