At 萝莉社, the Office of Financial Aid has always been committed to helping students navigate the complex world of tuition, grants, and loans. However, in the past year, the team faced an unexpected challenge when the changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) required a quick response and creative problem-solving.
In December 2023, the United States Department of Education rolled out a significant revision to the FAFSA, which had been delayed by several months. This change was designed to simplify the application process, but its timing and complexity created hurdles for many students.
Carolyn Lach, director of financial aid, explained, 鈥淲hile the changes were intended to make the process easier, they created some extra challenges for the students who needed help the most.鈥�
In response to the new FAFSA rollout, North Park formed a special task force dedicated to streamlining the process for students. The Office of Financial Aid and partners from Information Technology, the Division of Student Engagement, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and other departments worked quickly to ensure students still received the support they needed.
鈥淲e were able to adjust our approach and keep the financial aid process moving forward,鈥� said Lach. 鈥淏eing a smaller school allowed us to pivot quickly and provide personalized support.鈥� The team鈥檚 collaborative efforts helped minimize delays and ensured students received the financial support needed to pursue their studies at North Park without disruption.
鈥淚t was a unique year,鈥� said Jose-Jose Palma BA 鈥�10, MM 鈥�15, financial aid senior counselor, 鈥淏ut we all came together to make sure students could still get the financial support they needed to continue their education.鈥�
Emily Anderson MBA 鈥�17, assistant director of financial aid process, added, 鈥淚t felt like we were starting from scratch, but our team鈥檚 ability to adapt quickly helped us stay ahead of the curve.鈥� North Park was one of the first schools to send out new financial aid packages for incoming students.
Despite the challenges, the Office of Financial Aid remains a welcoming space for students. 鈥淥ur team is always ready to sit with students, answer their questions, and find solutions,鈥� Anderson said.
In the end, the FAFSA adjustments have highlighted the flexibility and dedication of North Park鈥檚 financial aid team and reinforced the university鈥檚 commitment to supporting students as they pursue their academic and personal goals.