Contacts:
Media Contacts:
Lydia Sermons or Carol Wilkerson
202-288-7071
WASHINGTON, DC — Over the past several days, members of our community have expressed understandable concern regarding the enrollment decisions affecting a number of first-time-in-college (FTIC) students. For many students and families, admission to Howard University represents the realization of a lifelong dream, and I recognize the disappointment, uncertainty, and frustration this process has caused. I offer my sincere apology to every student and family who have been impacted by this situation.
We recognize the hard work and sacrifice that students and families invest in earning admission to Howard University. We do not take the consequences of these decisions lightly.
I want to provide additional context about why these actions were necessary and where we are today.
Each year, Howard University, like all colleges and universities, establishes enrollment deadlines that enable us to prepare responsibly for the academic year. These deadlines allow us to finalize financial aid, housing assignments, course schedules, orientation, and the many academic and student support services that position students for success. As part of this process, we must also ensure students have satisfied academic, administrative, and financial requirements for enrollment.
From March through July, the University communicated these expectations through multiple channels, including financial aid notifications, personalized aid information, email reminders, instructional videos, Bison Prep programs and direct outreach. Students were also provided additional time beyond the original deadline to make the required good-faith tuition payment, enroll in an approved payment plan, or submit documentation of pending scholarships, veterans' educational benefits, or other anticipated financial resources.
The majority of our admitted first-year students completed these requirements and confirmed their enrollment. Following multiple communications and deadline extensions, however, 502 students had not satisfied the University's enrollment requirements. After the additional time provided, those students were notified that the University could no longer reserve their place in the entering Fall 2026 class.
These decisions were not intended to diminish students' aspirations or place institutional finances above opportunity. Rather, they reflect our responsibility to ensure that students begin their Howard experience with a documented and sustainable financial plan. Across higher education, students who enroll without a realistic plan to meet their educational expenses are significantly more likely to experience financial hardship, interrupt their studies, or leave college before earning a degree. We have a responsibility to help students persist, graduate, and thrive.
