A drop in college financial aid applications could mean Coronavirus is “disrupting enrollment.” While colleges expected more financially strained prospective students to apply for federal aid, fewer are actually applying for it. According to NCAN, federal aid applications dropped significantly, tracking 2.8% behind last year. One expert doesn’t believe that “FAFSA isn’t their first priority right now” as they focus on more immediate needs and concerns. But the drop could mean major trouble for schools, as it indicates that many teens may have removed college entirely from their fall plans. YPulse’s special report on Gen Z’s interrupted education found that 60% of college students say COVID-19 has changed their school plans in some way. (WSJ)
