Fewer students are applying for federal college aid during pandemic

Federal student aid provides millions of dollars to students, giving low-income students a chance to go to college. But during the pandemic, due to a slew of reasons, students aren't applying at the usual rate.

In mid-March, when many states began shutdowns, applications began to decline, according to National College Attainment Network.

Inside Higher Ed said there were nearly 6% fewer renewals from all Pell Grant-eligible students from March 15 to May 15 this year compared to last.

To be eligible for a Pell Grant, a student's family income must qualify, based on a number of factors. Last year, $89 million in Pell Grants went unclaimed.

Low-income families are the most affected by the pandemic, and low-income students are at a disadvantage when it comes to filing for federal student aid. Often times, the application process is strenuous and difficult especially for students who lack a good support system. Many students are not aware of the application or don't understand the forms needed.

Experts found that FAFSA has also been denying more students for their aid due to menial errors in their paperwork, and experts call this the "verification melt."

“How many times does a student or parent have to repeatedly prove they are poor,” Michael Bennett, associate vice president of financial assistance services, at St. Petersburg College in Florida, said to Inside Higher Ed. “Verification for our lowest-income students is a barrier to access, and when aid is delayed because of excessive verification, access may be denied. Is this what we want?”

A study from the US Department of Education found that a third of the students who didn't complete the form thought they didn't need the aid, and nearly another third thought their family wouldn't be eligible.

Another 28% of students report that they were afraid to take on debt, 23% said they didn't have enough information to complete the form, and 15% said they didn't know they could complete a FAFSA.

In Henderson, NC, the Baldwin family has placed a high priority in helping their five children go to college.

Dinah Baldwin said she's the fourth child to go to college in her family.

"Probably about 60% of her college tuition is covered through FAFSA," her mom said.

When the Baldwin kids started their college journey, their parents weren’t as savvy about accessing financial aid as they are now.

"For her, it was easy," said Dinah’s mom, Diedra Baldwin. "We knew what to do and when to do it."

June was the month for "FAFSA Frenzy" -- a month-long push to get applications in on time for students entering school this fall.

The opportunity to apply for aid seems to come and go too quickly for too many parents, according to Vance County Schools Superintendent Anthony Jackson.

Jackson said that FAFSA has always been "this big mystery" for the school district.

"We can no longer leave those resources on the table," Jackson said. "We can no longer allow kids to believe they are locked out of future prosperity."

Jackson plans to build the FAFSA process into the 12th grade English curriculum and also schedule many nights where parents can come in to take part in that course in Vance County.

In making her college plans, Dinah Baldwin says she received regular help from her school guidance counselor and college advisor.

Dinah Baldwin has been accepted into Fayetteville State University this fall. Baldwin hopes to be a pediatric nurse and work with children.