Metropolitan State University of Denver had planned to get the word out Thursday about some changes to financial-aid distribution to part-time students. Unfortunately, some of the students had already heard — and they weren’t happy about it.
“It’s a major deal, and we know that,” financial-aid director Cindy Hejl said. “But we weren’t keeping secrets.”
Metro State was audited by the U.S. Department of Education in the spring. The school was informed that to be in compliance with federal standards, the cost of attendance for part-time students — including tuition, fees and books — had to be categorized differently.
That also means Metro State had to change the way it distributes financial aid to about 4,000 students. While the school is required to issue funds no later than about two weeks after the start of classes (Aug. 20), Hejl said Metro State has typically done so about 10 days after the start of the fall semester. But because of the system changes, that wasn’t feasible.
A compromise was reached. Half the funds are to be issued Aug. 9 and the rest Sept. 5. Hejl acknowledges that the decision could inconvenience students on the hook for charges greater than the initial 50 percent distribution but said Colorado residents won’t be charged late fees.
And the hope, she added, is that the problem is a short-term one.
“The goal is to do an analysis of all this after the spring semester to see if there’s a way to get the students their assistance in a more timely manner and still be in compliance,” Hejl said.
