By Jennifer Petersen
Financial aid checks were about four weeks late going out this semester. Director of Financial Aid, Paul Crawford attributes the delay to the installation of a new computer system.
Approximately 482 students were affected by the delay. The delay affected students receiving Pell grants or student loans, said Eileen Twardowski, of the financial aid office.
At press time, the checks were just being sent out. Checks are normally dispersed the fourth or fifth week of the semester, Crawford said.
"I’m really ticked off", said Jessica Peffley, Ottawa. "They have my money, and they just aren’t giving it to me."
Peffley stated that she had not received any notification that checks were going to be late, or why. She said she has just been waiting for her money and never thought it would take this long.
Because of the delay, Peffley said she won’t be able to go anywhere for spring break. "I couldn’t buy my plane ticket. They needed the money in advance", she said.
Students have been calling the financial aid office inquiring as to when they would be receiving their checks, Crawford said.
"We apologize for any delays", said Crawford. "Other schools who have brought up this system have had similar problems."
"We are confident we will have all the bugs worked out by summer", he said. He doesn’t foresee any delays in the future.
This system has been a learning process for everyone, Crawford said. He used the analogy that "it takes nine months to give birth, then you’re up a lot of late nights after that trying to learn and deal with what to do next."
The system, which has been live since last November, has been a challenge to all departments, Crawford stated. "But, it’s easy to notice financial aid because of the money", he said.
Crawford said they wanted to get the students money to them as soon as possible, but also wanted to be sure they dispersed the correct amounts.
He said without taking enough time with the new system, it could have meant some students not getting enough money or others getting too much.