FAFSA Delays Push May 1 'Decision Day' into Summer Months

May 1 is traditionally known as "National College Decision Day" – when colleges and universities ask accepted students to commit to the school they plan to attend in the fall by making a deposit toward their first semester tuition. Not this year. With the federal financial aid process in disorder following a revamp late last year, schools are already way behind in formulating financial aid off ers to students, and many students have yet to even apply for the federal aid. Because of a series of glitches with the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, the federal Department of Education and the state SUNY system had already asked schools to push their deadlines back to at least May 15, with some opting for June 1 in hopes of gaining wiggle room.