The University of Wisconsin-Madison extended its commitment deadline to May 15 after delays in the implementation of a new federal law that aims to streamline the 2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
The new FAFSA form, released Dec. 30, is intended to allow 610,000 more students from low-income backgrounds to receive Federal Pell Grants and other benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Schools are not expected to receive FAFSA forms until March. As a result, UW-Madison is allowing prospective students, many of whom submit the FAFSA, to commit to the university until May 15 instead of the normal May 1 deadline.
“The extension is intended to provide prospective students and their families with additional time to review, understand, and consider their financial aid offers before making a final decision,” said Karla Weber Wandel, communications manager for the UW-Madison Office of Student Financial Aid.
FAFSA forms for the 2024-25 school year went live on Dec. 30 instead of Oct. 1, preventing many students from making informed college decisions before the usual commitment deadline.
“Students that are most impacted are those that need their financial aid offer to be able to make their enrollment decision,” Weber said. “However, all our students that submit the FAFSA are being impacted.”
Deadlines to pay the $200 admitted student deposit and submit an on-campus housing contract are also extended to May 15, according to the university.
