Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - With major cuts happening within the Department of Education, SUNY schools are worried about the long term impact, including on the Financial aid system.
SUNY Chancellor John King says with the department operating on less than half of what it once was, it's possible the system could collapse.
"The administration's claim is that the changes to the department won't affect the Pell Grant program and the financial aid system. We're worried about it, but the best thing we can do is help people get through the process now," stated King in an interview with WBEN.
Despite the uncertainty and confusion surrounding the cuts, King says enrollment has not been impacted yet.
"The encouraging thing is, so far this year, FAFSA completion rates are up compared to last year. Last year was disrupted by changes to the application, some delays at the federal level. This year, students are completing the FAFSA in higher numbers, which is a good thing, because last year, students left over $200 million on the table in unclaimed federal financial aid because of not completing the FAFSA. About 52% of our student students go tuition free because of federal and state financial aid. We don't want anyone to miss out on that opportunity," explained King.
King says SUNY and the state will continue to provide assistants for students as they navigate these changes, like with Governor Kathy Hochul's recent proposal that would make community college free for people between the ages of 25 and 55 in high demand fields.
"These are areas like nursing, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and cyber security. All areas where there are a lot of open jobs that employers can't fill because we don't have the qualified workforce we need, and so this is an opportunity for someone who's maybe struggling. They're driving for Uber, they're barely making enough to cover their bills and their cost of housing. Now they could come to community college, get a degree in one of these high demand workforce areas, significantly increase their income and set themselves up for a fulfilling career," stated King.