UCCS enrollment drops, fewer students seek financial aid
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is reporting a 2% decrease in freshman enrollment and an 11% decrease in overall enrollment.
Jared Verner, a spokesperson for the university, says over the past few years, UCCS has held a steady increase in enrollment, but this year may be different due to COVID-19.
He says the university has worked hard to lower the financial burden for students keeping the tuition rate flat for incoming freshmen and current students.
Still many students seek other types of financial help.
The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is required for students to be eligible for federal Pell grants and student loans.
In the first weeks of March, FAFSA reported the number of application completions was down 45% compared to the same period the year before.
Experts believe it could be because many high school seniors did not return for the end of the year, a time when counselors help students make plans for college.
The problem was even worse among Colorado high school seniors. According to the National College Attainment Network, the overall number of completed FAFSA applications is down about 1,000, or 3.2% over last year and renewals are also down 4%.
