These colleges are stepping up for students impacted by Howard University’s mass unenrollment
TheGrio...
From New York to Maryland, colleges are opening their doors with expedited admissions and support for students who were unenrolled from Howard.
Earlier this month, hundreds of incoming students reported receiving an email notification that they were unenrolled from Howard University due to a missed payment deadline. As previously reported by theGrio, the news rattled students and their families across the country, as their dreams of attending the HBCU they had previously committed to were dashed weeks before their anticipated move-in date. While the university claims to have sent multiple messages ahead of the payment deadline, students told theGrio that they received notifications with conflicting dates and in some cases, had pending scholarships that would cover the costs of the semester.
“I know I’m supposed to check all my stuff, but that’s what I did, and I was just misled,” Kendra K., an incoming freshman from Atlanta, Georgia, told theGrio.
“We understand that the enrollment update that was issued yesterday is difficult and disappointing for students and their families,” the HBCU wrote in a statement shared on July 23.
Since the news broke, Howard University’s interim president, Wayne A. I. Frederick, confirmed that over 200 of the nearly 500 students impacted by the mass unenrollment have been reinstated into HBCU’s Class of 2030. However, for the nearly 300 students who have not regained their spots in Howard’s freshman class, several universities and officials have committed to opening their doors to the students and families affected by the news.
Maryland:
Most recently, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced a partnership with the University System of Maryland (USM) to help students “continue with their education with as little interruption as possible.” To do so, Moore has directed the Maryland Higher Education Commission and the USM to establish a coordinated process to help affected students identify available programs, navigate financial aid options, and seek expedited review for late admissions at participating USM institutions with available capacity. Additionally, the governor has committed an $800 credit to offset the nonrefundable enrollment and housing deposits they paid to Howard University.
“These students worked hard, earned admission to college, and were preparing to begin the next chapter of their lives,” Gov. Moore said in a press release shared with theGrio. “Maryland is moving with urgency to give them a clear path forward—with hands-on support, expedited admissions assistance, and financial relief—so they can stay on track toward earning their degree.”
Gov. Moore, USM, and MHEC are working together to field students’ interest through this email osfamail.mhec@maryland.gov, and are working with all the schools within USM to accommodate these students.
USM schools include:
- Bowie State University
- Coppin State University
- Frostburg State University
- Salisbury University
- Towson University
- University of Baltimore
- University of Maryland (Baltimore, Baltimore County, College Park, Eastern Shore)
New York
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that select schools in the State University of New York and City University of New York systems are expediting late admissions reviews for affected students. Additionally, these New York schools will also provide an $800 credit to offset the non-refundable deposits these students previously made.
“Hundreds of students, including New Yorkers, are scrambling and scared since they’ve been disenrolled from their intended college just a few weeks before classes are set to begin,” Governor Hochul said in a press release. “New York is home to the nation’s finest systems of public higher education, and we are ready to welcome these talented students with the opportunity they deserve. To every student who is worried that their educational future has been disrupted: New York is ready to support and empower you.”
The participating universities include:
- University at Albany
- Binghamton University
- University at Buffalo
- Stony Brook University
- Alfred State College
- SUNY Brockport
- SUNY Buffalo State University
- SUNY Canton
- Farmingdale State College
- SUNY New Paltz
- SUNY Old Westbury
- SUNY Oneonta
- SUNY Purchase
Washington D.C.
A fellow HBCU in the nation’s capital has also opened its doors to students affected by the unenrollment. University of the District of Columbia extended its undergraduate deadline to August 7.
“In addition to that, our admission application fee has been waived,” Hasanna Tyus, vice president of enrollment at UDC told WTOP News. “And then we have enrollment specialists that are prepared in admissions, financial aid, registration and advising, and housing to help students throughout the enrollment process to make sure that they’re prepared to start class on Aug. 21.”