A financial aid mishap at South Georgia State College has caused a staff rearrangement within the financial aid department as well as other changes and resulted in 40 students not being able to attend classes this semester. Changes within the department included the hiring of a new Interim Vice President for Student Success. The students that were affected by the mistake were not able to attend the classes they were registered for even though the semester was already underway. Some students living on campus were forced to pack up and leave after classes began because their financial aid had not been processed. South Georgia State College had promised the affected students that they would be reimbursed once their financial aid had become processed, but to continue attending classes they must pay for them out of pocket until that time. Enrollment at South Georgia State College is flat this semester, and the residence halls are less than half filled with only 279 students housed for the fall semester.
It is unclear what the situation was that caused the financial aid issue, but several significant changes within the financial aid department have resulted from the mistake. In addition to these changes, a brand new B-term is being offered at South Georgia State College for the first time at the college. Students can attend B-Term full-time or part-time, and the term runs from Oct. 6 to Dec. 4. South Georgia State College provided more information about B-term and the financial aid incident in the following statement:
“The administration of South Georgia State College would like to sincerely apologize to any individual who received excessive delays and poor customer service during the fall 2015 financial aid process.
“As a result of these issues and feedback from our students, SGSC has implemented a restructuring of the Student Success division, which includes supervision of the financial aid department. Furthermore, two individuals were assigned to other roles to better utilize their talents and abilities.
“Ms. Lynn McCraney joined SGSC on Sept. 28, 2015, as the Interim Vice President for Student Success and will oversee Admissions, Athletics, Campus Life, Financial Aid, Registrar, and Student Life functions. McCraney has an extensive background in the areas of student affairs and enrollment. She most recently served as Vice President for Student Success and Enrollment at Fort Valley State University and previously held key positions at Middle Georgia State College and the former Macon State College. McCraney has served on a number of committees within the University System of Georgia and with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Ms. McCraney holds a Master of Public Administration degree as well as a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia College and State University.
“As of Sept. 22, 2015, South Georgia State College enrollment stands at 2,615 compared to 2,611 from fall 2014. The breakdown by location is as follows – Douglas 1097, Move on When Ready students 280, eCore 6, Off Campus 14, Americus 114, Valdosta 466, and Waycross 638. Residential enrollment for the Douglas Campus is currently 279, while 236 are living on site in Valdosta.”