April 2, 2025
Ferris State providing resources to incoming students while addressing unexpected delays in financial aid reporting
Ferris State is experiencing unexpected delays in providing financial aid packages to accepted students, but the university has several resources in place to help students and families as they work through college planning.
University leaders say they expect most incoming freshmen will be informed of their state and federal government financial aid eligibility in about two weeks as specialists work through data.
Ferris State has a financial aid hotline – (231) 591-2110 – to answer questions from students and families and provide a Net Price Calculator available on the university website that can provide an estimate of their financial aid awards.
“The cost of attending college plays a significant role in a family’s decision-making,” said Jeanine Ward-Roof, vice president for Student Affairs. “Ensuring students have a clear understanding of their state and federal financial aid eligibility is our top priority. While this process is taking a little longer than expected, we are dedicating all available resources to finalizing financial aid packages as quickly as possible.”
A growing number of students are taking advantage of Ferris State’s academic offerings and meaningful student experiences. The number of students registering for orientation and signing residence hall contracts is ahead of previous year’s figures.
Ferris State experienced an enrollment increase this academic year. Winter semester enrollment climbed by 2.8 percent over the prior year, with the count day tally indicating there were 9,951 students enrolled, a 271-student increase. It’s the first winter enrollment increase since 2015, and the largest since 2011.
Incoming students have already received information about university scholarships. The financial aid packages provide details about eligibility for state, federal, and institutional resources, such as Pell Grants.
The Net Price Calculator is available on the Ferris State website – ferris.edu/netpricecalculator – and uses the most recent tuition and fee rates along with the scholarship opportunities for students who have never attended college before to help estimate their out of pocket cost to attend Ferris State University.
The hotline is staffed between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and is available for students and families to answer questions about state and federal aid, processes, and scholarships. Specialists are also available via email at [email protected].
“There is tremendous value to a Ferris State education,” Ward-Roof said. “We are an affordable, accessible university with quality programs, including several that are the first, only, or largest of their kind in the nation. Many of our programs have near-perfect placement rates as students gain in-demand skills in state-of-the-art facilities.”
Ward-Roof said there are additional steps incoming students can take as they prepare to attend Ferris State.
She said registering for orientation is a key step where students will enroll in classes and connect with faculty, staff, and fellow students.
Students also can reserve a spot in a residence hall, ensuring they will be part of a vibrant and supportive living environment.
“The financial information is an important factor in a family’s decision, and we’ll get that to them as quickly as possible,” Ward-Roof said. “A Ferris State education can be life-changing, and we don’t want anyone to miss the opportunities we provide.”