Students at Seminole State College have been waiting for weeks to receive loan disbursements from the school, which said Tuesday that the delay was related to Hurricane Irma.
Kimberly Burns has made dozens of phone calls over the past few weeks to find out the status of her loan disbursements.
As a single mother and full-time student, she said the $4,000 loan is vital for her to get by.
“We started school on Aug. 21. Here it is Sept. 26,” she said, shaking her head.
Seminole State was closed from Sept. 8 to Sept. 14 because of Hurricane Irma and officials said no financial aid files were processed during that time.
Burns didn’t see that as a valid excuse for being so late with loan disbursements.
“I feel like since they knew Irma was coming, why not put a little extra pep in your step and make sure your students are OK after the disaster?” she said.
The school said in a statement that employees were working hard to get caught up after the storm.
“Our financial aid staff has been working additional hours to catch up with processing and disbursements,” the statement said. “Processing is expected to be back on schedule in the next two weeks.”
Burns hoped it wouldn’t be that long until her disbursement came.
“It’s very stressful when you’re waiting, you know? And I budget that money,” she said.
Cox Media Group
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