Courtesy: Howard University(X)
Dozens of incoming Howard University students say they were unenrolled from the school just weeks before the fall semester, after missing a July 10 payment deadline. Several students shared copies of the email they received Wednesday, informing them that the university could no longer hold their spot in the incoming freshman class.
Isabella Williams had already packed her truck and planned to leave her home in Alabama on Thursday to begin the drive to Washington. She had scholarships covering the remainder of her balance and had already sent documentation to Howard confirming the funds were arriving in August. She described the sudden unenrollment as heartbreaking, especially after the hours she spent applying for scholarships to make attending the school possible.
Why students say the Howard University decision feels unfair
Dwayne Irvin, another incoming student, was just 12 days from his move-in date when he received the email. He had already purchased flight tickets and packed his dorm essentials. He said a financial aid representative at Howard had assured him in person that he could still attend with an outstanding balance, given that his scholarship funds were pending.
Williams said she gave the university clear documentation showing when her external scholarship money would arrive, noting that most outside scholarships do not disperse until August 1. She said the situation was fully transparent on her end. Despite that, both students received the same email urging them to consider reapplying as transfer students instead.
MarLae’ Coffield, another affected student, said her account balance was actually negative as of July 11, since her aid and scholarships exceeded her total tuition cost. She graduated early with a 4.0 GPA specifically to attend Howard, making the unenrollment especially difficult to accept.
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What Howard University has said in response
A university spokesperson said the school understands the enrollment update issued this week is difficult and disappointing for students and their families. Howard said it had reached out to students and families between March and July through emails, personalized financial aid information, videos and prep sessions to communicate payment deadlines clearly.
The university said it will refund any payments or scholarship dollars students had already sent. However, the $800 in tuition and housing deposits students paid earlier remains nonrefundable. Coffield said she had to raise that deposit money through GoFundMe campaigns due to her family’s financial situation.
Howard also said it is reviewing cases involving pending scholarships and financial aid, and will consider relevant circumstances tied to those pending funds. The school has not confirmed how many students were affected in total.
What comes next for the unenrolled students
Howard told affected students they can reapply next year as transfer students. Irvin said he has already reached out to other colleges to explore fall enrollment options elsewhere, citing a lack of support from Howard during the process.
Williams received her class schedule Thursday afternoon but still lacks full clarity on her scholarship status. She said she is not giving up on attending Howard, but plans to keep pushing the university toward a resolution. She and other affected students have been in contact with one another as they navigate the situation together.
SOURCE: WJLA
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