Saint Vincent College extends new student commitment deadline to June 1

LATROBE, PA - Saint Vincent College announced today that it will extend this year's commitment deadline for new first-year students from May 1, 2024, to June 1, 2024.

The extension is intended to help new college students manage any complications that may have emerged in the roll out of the U.S. Department of Education's new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process. It will provide additional flexibility and time for students and their families to make their college decision based on available financial aid.

"We recognize the challenges our students are facing in this environment," said Father Paul Taylor, O.S.B., Saint Vincent College president. "We hope that through this extension, new college students and families can make the best possible decision for their future."

The commitment deadline extension follows an announcement earlier this spring, in which Saint Vincent College extended the priority deadline for financial aid and its Bearcat Advantage program to May 1.

"We have heard from many students and families about the new and unexpected financial aid challenges this year," said Heather Albright, Saint Vincent College dean of admission. "By extending our commitment deadline to June 1, we hope to give our incoming students plenty of time to make the right choice for their situation. We want to empower new members of the class of 2028 to have full confidence in their ability to afford college."

As part of the deadline extension, Saint Vincent College will no longer recognize National College Decision Day on May 1. Instead, the admission and financial aid staff will focus its resources on providing financial aid information to students prior to the May 1 priority filing deadline and the new June 1 commitment deadline.

Filing the FAFSA is a crucial step for determining need-based financial aid such as the federal Pell Grant, the PA State Grant, student loans, and institutional scholarship and grant programs like the Bearcat Advantage. Designed to make a college education more affordable for Pennsylvania students with a household income of less than $60,000, the Bearcat Advantage program pools College scholarships and grants to cover tuition for eligible students.