Campus colleagues,
I hope this message finds you well and the start of the academic year has been positive. There are several noteworthy items contained below that you may find useful.
Thank you for your hard work and the support you provide to recruit and retain students at Kent State University. It takes all our collective efforts to inform, educate and support students along their personal journey. I look forward to continued success this year.
Go Flashes!
Sean Broghammer, Ph.D.
Vice President for Enrollment Management
Changes to the FAFSA – Important Information to Know
By: Brenda Burke, AVP, Enrollment Management, University Scholarships and Financial Aid
While the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has experienced changes over the years, the upcoming 2024-25 FAFSA year will introduce significant changes for students and families. These changes may have implications for students and their ability to gain access to federal financial aid. A few of the changes that may directly impact Kent State students and federal aid eligibility are:
- The number of students from one household in college will no longer be used, so dependent students with family members in college will most likely see reduced financial need. In the past, it was not uncommon for multiple family members attending Kent State to be eligible for federal need-based aid. This change removes the number in college factor which will make fewer students eligible.
- Family farm/business exemption goes away. This means that many KSU students who have previously had farm or business income exemptions, will now have each factored into their ability to pay for college often resulting in fewer available aid dollars.
- Parent included on the FAFSA. The parent providing the most financial support is the parent that is required to be included on the FAFSA. Previously, the parent that a student lived with would be used regardless of support received from another parent.
Finally, Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is no longer going to be a calculation, but instead the Department of Education has created a new index score called Student Aid Index (SAI) and the SAI will be different than EFC. This means all scholarships and need-based programs that have used an EFC to determine eligibility must be updated.
Upcoming Presentations on FAFSA Changes with Q&A
There are many changes with the new FAFSA, and we encourage faculty and staff to attend an upcoming virtual information session to learn more. (Sign-in required to validate access within Kent State University.)
- Wednesday, Oct. 11, 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 19, 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Summer and Fall 2024 Admission Decision Release Date Set and Fall Campus Events
By: Collin Palmer, AVP, Enrollment Management, Admissions
The fall recruitment season is upon us, and the Office of Admissions is on the road recruiting Future Flashes at high schools and community colleges across the region. Our first round of undergraduate admission decisions for summer and fall 2024 will be released the week of October 2nd.
The release of decisions typically leads to an increased number of fall visitors as students begin to narrow their college lists. I expect thousands of students to visit campus throughout the fall semester and attend one of our many recruitment and visit programs. I encourage all members of the KSU community to show your Kent State pride and wear blue and gold on large event days as you greet and welcome students to campus.
I look forward to our continued partnership over the coming months as we welcome the entering class of 2024!
A few important dates:
- Thursday, Oct. 12 – Graduate Program Fair
- Friday, Oct. 27 and Friday, Nov. 3 – Preview KSU
- Sept. 20 through Dec. 6 – Virtual Preview KSU and Information Sessions
Student Spring Registration Awareness
By: Chris Dorsten, AVP, Enrollment Management and University Registrar
The Office of the University Registrar is excited to announce the return of registration events across campus the weeks of Oct. 2 and Oct. 16. The goal of the events will be to encourage students to meet with their advisor, register for classes on time and to help KSU to retain students.
We will be placing tents in two locations to talk to students, answer questions and raise awareness of "My Time to Register." Colleagues from across the university are providing support to staff two Kent State University tents located on Risman Plaza and by the DI Hub. If you are interested to volunteer time to support registration efforts, please sign-up here. Lastly if you are not familiar with "My Time to Register" for students, please visit our website.
Student Loan Repayment resumes in October
By: Brenda Burke, AVP, Enrollment Management, University Scholarships and Financial Aid
The Department of Education’s pause on student loan repayment expired Aug. 31 with borrower payments set to resume in October. The pause on repayments, 0% interest rates and collections on defaulted loans will no longer be extended. Current and former students who have taken out federal student loans should be notified by their loan providers and/or the U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid Office before payments restart.
Students who are currently enrolled at least half-time will fall under a grace period – meaning payments on federal loans are deferred until after graduation or if enrollment is discontinued for six months. All borrowers are encouraged to contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) with any questions at 1-800-433-3243 or by visiting www.studentaid.gov.
For more information about repayment restart and Public Service Loan Forgiveness, visit Kent State University’s Loan Forgiveness and Repayment Restart webpage.
Students First – A Success Story
By: Jameka Wilson, Director of One Stop for Student Services
The Division of Enrollment Management together with the Division of Finance and Administration successfully developed a new process to decrease the number of students subject to schedule cancellation due to non-payment. This initiative is part of the Strategic Enrollment Management Plan. This administrative change provided flexibility for students and their families who need more time to secure funding to pay their semester balance while also positively impacting student success.
What changed?
For fall 2023, only students with a prior semester balance of $200 or more were subject to schedule cancellation. Previously, students with a balance of $1500 or more for a future term were subject to schedule cancellation.
Observed Impact
- Fewer student schedules were cancelled. Each fall term from 2020 to 2022, an average of 914 students had their fall schedules cancelled due to the inability to bring their balance below $1500 by the payment due date in August. For fall 2023, 129 student schedules were cancelled for non-payment; less than .5% of Kent State enrollment.
- Reduced inbound phone calls to One Stop. From mid-July through the payment due date on Aug. 10, One Stop for Student Services received 5,445 fewer phone calls (33% reduction) compared to prior years.
- Improved student and staff experience. Historically, 60-70% of students who had their schedules cancelled would re-register for fall classes. The former process created unnecessary panic among students who were removed from required courses and added administrative tasks and follow-up to staff from across the university during an already stressful time.
The offices of University Scholarships and Financial Aid, University Bursar, and One Stop for Student Services are working closely with students who have an outstanding balance through a robust communication plan, active outreach and counseling regarding payment options.