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400 Students Forced To Leave TSU
Donations Save 900 Students From Being Cut
POSTED: 2:38 pm CDT September 8,
2008
UPDATED: 10:41 pm CDT September 8,
2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Financial problems at Tennessee State University have forced hundreds of students at the school to pack their bags and leave campus.
Watch This StoryEven though she is frustrated, Sharia Howard said she counts herself among the more fortunate. At three weeks into the school year, she and others haven't received financial aid to buy books. However, Howard said it's worse for many of her classmates, who have been told to leave school because they can't pay tuition."TSU's system sucks. Everything is wrong with the system," said Howard."You don't have any other options but to give up, and you don't want to do that," said student Tonae Ellis.More than 1,300 students were given a deadline of last Friday to secure financial aid or be dropped. Last-minute donations from alumni and faculty saved 900, but still left 400 students are in limbo.On Monday, the 400 students received letters letting them know they've been dropped from classes and have 48 hours to vacate the residence hall.Michael Jones at TSU's Financial Aid Office said they've always had to purge students, but this year the situation is much worse because many can't afford increased tuition and no longer qualify for certain loans. Also, new software hasn't been working properly, and lenders have been slow to release money."The fact that you're telling somebody 'No,' that hurts. Whether or not we can show it, or they see it on our face, it does hurt when you have to tell a student, 'No,'" said Jones.On Sunday, Mount Zion Baptist Church raised $30,000 for 16 students in its congregation who were dropped.TSU officials said while the deadline has passed, they may reinstate those 16 students if they have the money soon.The school is facing a $6 million shortfall. School officials said they'll announce plans for faculty layoffs later this week.
Watch This StoryEven though she is frustrated, Sharia Howard said she counts herself among the more fortunate. At three weeks into the school year, she and others haven't received financial aid to buy books. However, Howard said it's worse for many of her classmates, who have been told to leave school because they can't pay tuition."TSU's system sucks. Everything is wrong with the system," said Howard."You don't have any other options but to give up, and you don't want to do that," said student Tonae Ellis.More than 1,300 students were given a deadline of last Friday to secure financial aid or be dropped. Last-minute donations from alumni and faculty saved 900, but still left 400 students are in limbo.On Monday, the 400 students received letters letting them know they've been dropped from classes and have 48 hours to vacate the residence hall.Michael Jones at TSU's Financial Aid Office said they've always had to purge students, but this year the situation is much worse because many can't afford increased tuition and no longer qualify for certain loans. Also, new software hasn't been working properly, and lenders have been slow to release money."The fact that you're telling somebody 'No,' that hurts. Whether or not we can show it, or they see it on our face, it does hurt when you have to tell a student, 'No,'" said Jones.On Sunday, Mount Zion Baptist Church raised $30,000 for 16 students in its congregation who were dropped.TSU officials said while the deadline has passed, they may reinstate those 16 students if they have the money soon.The school is facing a $6 million shortfall. School officials said they'll announce plans for faculty layoffs later this week.
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