Why your aid offer hasn't arrived yet

Colleges normally receive processed FAFSA information within days of a student filing. In the 2024-25 cycle, the Department of Education didn't begin sending data to schools until well into the spring.

That pushed aid offers from their usual late-winter arrival to April and later, compressing the decision window right up against the May 1 commitment deadline.

If you're deciding without an offer in hand, contact admissions and ask directly whether they'll extend your deposit deadline. Many schools did so that year, but generally only for students who asked.