JOSHUA SILLS/Arizona Daily Wildcat Dozens of students wait in line to find out information about their financial aid in the Admin building.

Money slow in getting to students because of new computer system

Two weeks into classes, Laura Ostler wonders when she will be able to worry about her homework instead of her missing financial aid.

She has had to pay two months worth of rent, plus other bills, on her credit card, which is now at its limit, because she has yet to receive her financial aid and stipend from the university. She hasn't purchased her books either.

"If I'm not getting my money today or tomorrow, I'm going to see about loans for rent and books. Hopefully that will happen today," said Ostler. "I'm behind and it's time to start thinking about research papers."

The Middle Eastern humanities graduate student was not alone as she waited in a line for the financial aid office that extended out the door of the Administration Building, 1401 E. University Blvd.

Hundreds of others are also trying to understand why they have not received their funding and what to do about it in the meantime.

"We're number 40 in line and we have class in 20 minutes," said Dan Boardman, a pharmacy gradate student.

He is waiting to receive his financial aid, which may have been delayed because of a misunderstanding about his status at the university, but more problems have followed.

"One of the biggest problems with miscommunication is you can't get through on the phone. They don't return e-mails; you have to stand in line. There's just no way to get ahold of people," Boardman said.

For Boardman, the delay in his financial aid prevents him from applying for aid elsewhere.

We have implemented a new computer system. That never happens without problems -John Nametz director of financial aid

"Without federal aid you cannot apply for supplemental loans," Boardman said.

"I need a lot more than they're going to give me," Boardman said, but he cannot apply for other loans yet because the university has to certify the amount of aid they have given to him.

Shad Quirl, a mechanical engineering graduate student, said he was frustrated because he couldn't get ahold of the financial aid office.

"My lender said it was dispersed on Aug. 22, but I have not received it yet," said Quirl, who made a trip to campus yesterday morning just to find out about his financial aid. "I don't even think the number they have on the Web site is on."

The financial aid office knows the source of the delayed aid, a new computer program called Matrix, and is trying to help students at least purchase books while they wait for the rest of their aid to come through.

The financial aid office began awarding aid in April for the fall semester, said John Nametz, director of financial aid.

"We have implemented a new computer system," Nametz added. "That never happens without problems."

They have already distributed $43.1 million in grants and Stafford Loans, which is slightly less than the $45.4 million distributed by this time last year.

But due to the additional $14 million of financial aid generated by last year's tuition increase, the financial aid office is responsible for distributing more aid than ever before.

The UofA Bookstore and the financial aid office have offered a $500 book credit to students who are still waiting for funds. The bookstore expected about 700 students to take advantage of the book credit offer.

Between Aug. 15 and Sept. 3, 2,500 transactions had been processed using the credits. The figure includes students who return to the bookstore two or three times for more books.

"This has been an extraordinary effort because they (the financial aid office) were having some system problems, so my staff was asked to step up and help out the students," said Frank Farias, the director of the UofA Bookstore.

Forms for the credit are available at the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Nametz said students who have not yet received aid should not have to worry about today's deadline for tuition payments.

"Any student who has enough aid offered to cover tuition will be saved, unharmed by cancellation and other penalties," Nametz said. "Students with aid still to come in will not be billed until mid-September."

Students will receive the aid they were promised, even if it is as late as the end of the semester, Nametz said.

Although Ostler is frustrated with the financial situation, she's not angry at the office.

"I hope this inspires them to do better next time," said Ostler.