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In response to recent disruptions in the processing of federal financial aid forms, Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey, has announced a freeze on tuition for the upcoming academic year. This move comes as families across the nation grapple with delays in the processing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms, causing uncertainty about the affordability of college education.
The U.S. Department of Education has been implementing improvements to the FAFSA form, which all students must complete to receive financial aid. However, these changes have resulted in delayed deadlines and processing times, causing colleges to postpone enrollment confirmations.
Karolina Wolfe, vice president and chief operating officer at Centenary, stated to NJ Advance Media, "With this year’s delays in processing FAFSA applications, our students — many of whom are first-generation college students — had no idea how much federal financial aid to expect."
Centenary University's full-time undergraduate tuition and fees will remain at $37,732, the rate for the 2023-24 school year. The university has also pledged to freeze room costs for those living on campus. However, the price of student meal plans will rise by 6%, reflecting higher food prices from the university’s food service provider.
Centenary University is the second New Jersey college to announce a tuition freeze in recent months. Georgian Court University in Lakewood previously announced a similar freeze for the upcoming academic year, citing concerns about families affording college. Georgian Court’s annual undergraduate tuition and fees totaled $37,110 last year.