CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As Johnson C. Smith University prepares to welcome a record number of students to campus, a big barrier leaves hundreds of them sitting in limbo.
"Though many folks want to be here, under this new FAFSA they may not have received as much aid so that has generated a gap," Davida Haywood, the vice president of student affairs at the university, said.
Haywood said financial limitations, aid changes, delays, and glitches are also impacting families who may end up paying some out-of-pocket costs.
"The phones have been ringing off the hook and emails are full, " said Haywood.
"Costs at a college can be everything from your tuition to your room and boarding, that difference is what students and family are expected to cover," said Haywood.
Haywood said the data shows freshmen enrolling this fall have the biggest financial need, that’s why they’ve created a $250,000 emergency aid campaign to provide relief to as many families as possible.
"We are going to do all we can do to keep those students who have expressed interest," Haywood said.
"As funding comes in we are going to evaluate a variety of factors including if a student is senior in need of assistance closer to graduation, or if any student is in need we will pay a reasonable amount or do what we can," Haywood said.
Haywood said students with higher balances may not receive full compensation, but they're hoping to decrease the balances by also offering families payment plans.
"For a student to open up statements and see that someone has invested in them, there is a little bit of weight will be lifted," Haywood said.
"We know what a college degree can do and the difference it can make in a student’s life," Haywood said.
Classes are set to start Wednesday and the last day to help students who are short on funding will be Aug. 30.