Seminole State College students upset over delays in financial aid

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Some students at Seminole State College told Channel 9's Kenneth Craig that they can't get a straight answer from school leaders about why they still have not received any of their financial aid money.

They said they were expecting to receive the money several weeks ago, but many have not seen any of it.

Some of the students said the lack of money has forced them to leave school.

"People are very angry. I was very angry," said Seminole State College student Amanda Cash.

Cash said that a month after classes started she has not received thousands of dollars of financial aid money that she expected to get.

She said each time she has tried to talk to school officials she has been given the runaround.

"You can call the school and talk to four different people and get four different answers," said Cash.

A handful of students have emailed and called Channel 9 to complain about not receiving the aid.

Cash is also among a large group that has taken to Facebook to express outrage about the delays.

"If I can't get financial aid when I need it, then next term there's no reason to come back to Seminole State," said Cash.

Some Seminole State students said their friends at Valencia College and the University of Central Florida haven't seen any delays.

When Craig contacted those two schools, administrators confirmed that financial aid payments were on time.

Craig emailed school officials again to ask when this situation will be resolved. They said that they started processing Pell Grants Friday and that and loans will start Tuesday.

Email message from Seminole State College sent to Channel 9 Monday night:

Seminole State cares about all students and understands the important role that financial aid plays in students' educational goals.

Seminole State's timeline for the beginning of financial aid disbursements of Pell grants has been announced as a range from 2-3 weeks after the enrollment period ends.  For the current Fall Term, that period began on Aug. 31 with a timeline for distribution within 21 days -- by Sept. 20, 2013.  The college did disburse an initial $8 million  of Pell financial aid on Sept. 20, within the 2-3 week announced range.

Seminole State's financial aid office continues to work with several dozen students whose disbursements have not yet been awarded due to an individual issue with that student's application and / or eligibility for federal aid.  The college will continue to work with these students until their issues are resolved.

Jay R. Davis

Director, Communications and Media Relations

Seminole State College of Florida

WFTV