ROANOKE, Va.—
Confusion over financial aid could mean trouble for some students hoping to attend Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke this fall semester.Kiesha Bowles is working on a degree in social science from the school.
Last week, she got a letter in the mail asking her to verify her tax information.
She took in her paperwork and was told she'd have to come up with her tuition payment up front.
Bowles missed the deadline, guaranteeing financial aid in time for the start of classes but relied on the school, she said, to remind her of important dates.
"I put my education on hold for 6 years to follow my husband overseas and support him with his military career and now I'm back home trying to finish what I started and now because of what happened it's getting pushed back even further," said Bowles.
"Everything we have clearly states that you need to have all of your financial aid papers, documents submitted by June 17th in order to be guaranteed to know if you'll receive financial aid by the tuition deadline," said Josh Meyer, spokesman for Virginia Western Community College.
Bowles said she'll have to wait out this semester because she can't come up the $500 up front in order to get on a payment plan.
A spokesman for the school told News 7 the tuition payment deadline for all students was extended from today to next Monday, August 1.
There was some confusion over which tab on the community college website, listed students' financial aid information.
