Fort Lewis College saw a 3.5% increase in overall enrollment, despite facing challenges like changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form and the introduction of a new student information system.
The college announced this week that undergraduate enrollment grew by 2.2%, rising from 3,320 to 3,392, while graduate student enrollment saw a jump from 105 to 152.
Additionally, 262 students enrolled through concurrent enrollment programs, up from 183, reflecting strong partnerships between FLC and area high schools.
“I’m incredibly proud of our faculty and staff, especially those in admissions and financial aid who helped families navigate these challenges,” said Interim President Steve Schwartz in news release. “We are excited to see growth in all areas.”
Concerns emerged that changes to the federal FASFA form could discourage students from applying for financial aid. Initial application numbers were cause for concern, raising fears about a decline in student enrollment, the college reported in the news release.
Like many other colleges, FLC faced delays in financial aid award notifications as a result of the FAFSA issues.
“Our community worked incredibly hard to provide accurate information to families as quickly as possible,” said Dean of Enrollment Jess Savage. “Our enrollment growth is a testament to that effort.”
FASFA revamped its free application for financial aid earlier this year. However, the new form was released months behind schedule, setting colleges scrambling to get financial aid packages out in time.
In 2021, Congress passed legislation mandating the simplification of the federal FAFSA form, but progress has been slow. This effort comes as the Education Department helps 28 million student loan borrowers return to repayment, while also facing its own funding challenges, according to National Public Radio.
In response to these delays, the FLC Board of Trustees, supported by funding from the FLC Foundation, established a fund to assist returning students impacted by the FAFSA changes, despite their financial situations remaining the same.
FLC also expanded its tuition promise, offering free tuition to Colorado families with incomes below $70,000 in January. Previously, the benefit was available for families earning less than $65,000.
“Our leadership prioritized providing the best financial aid package possible to every student,” said Savage, noting that FLC is still analyzing demographic and retention data. “With our new student data management system in place, we are taking extra care to ensure accuracy.”
tbrown@durangoherald.com
