Pennsylvania’s 10 state universities extend student commitment deadline amid FAFSA delays [Video]

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Pennsylvania’s 10 state universities are giving potential new students more time to make their decisions to enroll. 

Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, which includes schools like IUP and Slippery Rock, says the extension will help mitigate the delays caused by the U.S. Department of Education’s new FAFSA form.

The universities will extend the deadline to at least May 15 for students to commit. The traditional deadline in the U.S. is May 1, commonly referred to as National College Decision Day.

PASSHE says the Department of Education significantly overhauled the FAFSA form this year. While the form is now shorter and simpler, the rollout has caused delays of five to six months, the state says. Now colleges and universities across the country won’t be getting financial data from FAFSA, which they use to determine the amount of financial aid to offer students, until mid-March.

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