UM students see financial aid delays from technical issues

An internal technical error is causing delays in student financial aid processing at the University of Montana.

The university’s internal computer systems had communication failures, prompting students to see processing delays with their financial aid awards reflected in their accounts, UM Director of Strategic Communications Dave Kuntz said.

UM’s tuition payment due date is Sept. 16. Kuntz said that date is still technically in place, but it’s become a softer deadline because of the technical problems. Staff is working on a case-by-case basis with students.

“It’s just taking longer to finalize tuition bills,” Kuntz said.

A significant number of students have been impacted, according to Kuntz.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as FAFSA, awards determine what types of loans, grants and scholarships university students qualify for.

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Late fees are being waived, Kuntz said, but this is the longest it’s taken in recent UM history to finalize bills. UM’s financial aid office, which is staffed by 16 people, had high turnover rates during the summer, too.

“We’re making sure the aid (students are) eligible for and the scholarships they received are in place so when they go to pay their

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