Money will always be a cause for complaint, and this time of the year, students have every right to do so.
Last fall, UB's Office of Financial Aid implemented a new financial aid process where students saw their financial aid credited after the drop/add period concluded. Prior to this, financial aid was distributed before the school year started and refund checks were handed out immediately. The goal was to line up the process with the academic calendar like other colleges.
UB doesn't need a system that works for other colleges; it needs a system that puts its own students first.
When UB restructured its system at the beginning of last school year, many were outraged and left in the dark. One year later, not much has changed. Financial aid and scholarships both came late this year, and federal and state aid is still pending. The most that has been offered are new financial aid advisors, which most students don't even know exist.
Students on a tight budget get hit hard at the beginning of every semester, relying on their checks to pay for food and textbooks. Instead of cashing in before classes start up or the rent is due, they now have to wait at least two weeks after classes start.
Financial aid doesn't get distributed until after the Financial Aid Census date, which for the fall semester was scheduled for Sept. 4. Disbursement is listed as on or after Sept. 6.
Instead of a system, we have a vicious circle. You can't add a new class with an unpaid bill hold on your account, but you can't pay your bill until your financial aid is dispersed - after the add/drop period ends.
It was a good theory - wait until after the add/drop period so financial aid wouldn't have to be recalculated and papers wouldn't have to be re-filed. It would be great if it actually focused on the students instead of the people working in the office.
Last year, in response to the changes, the office of financial aid told The Spectrum that students in need of extra money should start seeking jobs. You can't change the system and then just tell the students that rely on it "good luck." Many of the students who were ignored by the system change are already working jobs and coming up short - the students who rely on the financial aid to be distributed promptly.
UB's financial aid system needs another revamp and this time with the actual students in mind. After all, efficiency and transparency is really all that is asked for, but earlier refund checks would be even better.
Email: editorial@ubspectrum.com
