Great news for students waiting on financial aid packages! Schools are starting to extend commitment deadlines due to the late release of FAFSA information to colleges. FAFSA data is used by college admission and financial aid teams to evaluate need based and institutional aid. Without FAFSA data, many schools have nothing to work from...
Some schools do not require the FAFSA for institutional aid (merit), while others require a FAFSA be on file the first year. Be sure to check with your admissions rep for the schools you have been accepted and make a note of any commitment deadlines. Additionally, some schools require a housing deposit before joining the assignment list. Be sure to verify if the deposit is refundable (or a portion) if you choose not to attend that school...the kicker is some schools, like Purdue University, have a first come-first served mentality when making residential hall assignments. Better to pay the deposit, lose a small amount if there is a change of heart than to wait and get waitlisted for a preferred dorm - or any dorm at all! There are some east coast schools facing housing shortages as well.
So far, California's University system, Oregon State University and the University of Illinois-Chicago have extended commitment deadlines. I suspect more schools will follow with May 15 or later deadlines.
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