We learned yesterday that the Education Department is expecting additional delays (now estimated to be about six weeks) in processing and sending information from the FAFSA to colleges. This also affects the timing for our software vendors, who help us translate the information on the FAFSA into our financial aid offers.
It’s now clear that holding to the traditional May 1 deadline would impose impossible constraints on parents and students who need to receive, process, and consider financial aid offers before making a final college choice for Fall 2024. Because of this, Oregon State University is extending our Advanced Tuition Deposit Deadline to June 1, 2024 for full-time, first-year (freshman) students at the Corvallis and Cascades campuses.
Beyond that, Oregon State will work with students who have challenges that make even a June 1 response unfeasible on a case-by-case basis. The University’s Financial Aid Office website will be regularly updated, and we will continue to communicate with you about any changes to policy, and about any updates in timing. Should there be additional delays from the Education Department, we’ll be sure to let you know how that might affect things.
Additionally, for students who have already submitted an Advanced Tuition Deposit, or those who submit prior to June 1, the deadline for requesting a refund will also be extended to June 1 at 11:59 pm PST.
We know that not every family will complete a FAFSA or apply for financial aid, but the deadline is extended for all students, regardless of their financial aid status.
We believe these steps should be sufficient to allow students to make the best possible decisions, even with the delays. As always, we stand by ready to assist parents and students. Reach out any time.