Following a $64 million cut in federal funding, and what many students are chopping up to academic negligence, an increasing number of Howard University students are turning to GoFundMe to pay off account balances and avoid losing enrollment in the historically Black institution.
While university officials have said they are aware of the challenges being faced and are taking steps to address them — including offering flexible payment plans and emergency aid when possible — some students, such as Nylah Hughes Brown, are saying: “I don’t think they’re doing enough,” citing billing errors, past-due debts and limited access to financial aid.
“Speaking not only just for myself, but a lot of other Bison, Howard has afforded us the opportunities that not many schools can give you. [But] when it comes to finances, the billing, bursar, financial aid and even scholarships, Howard can significantly improve,” Brown, a rising senior, told The Informer. “It’s hindering a lot of [students] from continuing their education.”
Brown categorizes the financial challenges impacting students into three groups: debt accumulation, an increase in tuition, which has gone up 6.3% in the past decade, and additional fees integral to student survival.
“The most serious category right now is the people that have debts from last year that still have to pay for this upcoming year,” she explained, adding rising tuition as the second. “The third category are Howard students that may be able to pay for school, but [have to pay] for food and housing if they don’t get it [from the university].”
While students have described confusion and limited guidance from administration, Howard officials are saying that they are aware and are working to address concerns.
“Howard University works to support students facing financial aid and account challenges ahead of the fall semester,” the university said in a statement. “The university reaffirms its unwavering commitment to students’ success and to helping ensure that students are financially equipped to begin the academic year.”
Howard attributes the spike in reported balances – impacting roughly 1,000 out of 14,5000 accounts – to delays during the transition from BisonWeb to BisonHub, the digital self-service portal where students navigate access to registration, financial aid, and other key resources vital to matriculation.
Additionally, with the recent passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, resulting in $64 million in funding cuts, the university presents a larger challenge only adding fuel to the fire across campus.
“Recent federal cuts to research grants, education programs, and fellowships have compounded financial pressures on both students and faculty,” according to the university. “Those cuts are limiting opportunities for students to engage in academic research, internships, and other professional development programs.”
Despite assurances from university officials, many students say the financial support offered has not only fallen short of their needs, forcing them to rely on community fundraising to stay enrolled, but also has been difficult to access.
“At the end of the day, Howard is still a business — and I get that,” Brown said, “but they could be reaching out [to students] and could be more sympathetic.”
Efforts to Combat Financial Challenges: ‘We Would Like to See Changes‘
With hopes of drawing attention to the growing financial issues, Brown and several other students have taken to social media, documenting their experiences, sharing GoFundMe campaigns, and amplifying other students’ struggles.
Ssanyu Lukoma, a broadcast journalism student at Howard, tracks student fundraisers on her website “Ssanyu Speaks,” which currently lists more than 127 active GoFundMe campaigns for tuition, housing and other school-related expenses.
Meanwhile, resources such as Whose Howard Is It?, a student-led movement created in the wake of financial restraints, has also worked to engage students, alumni and potential donors in the fight.
In addition to connecting more than 24 students with donors, and raising roughly $33,000 to help cover tuition and housing costs, the organization is calling for the resignation of Senior Vice President of Student Affairs Cynthia Evers and Chief Communications Officers Lydia Sermons, saying the two “have failed the student community in adequately serving us.”
“The movement wants to demand accountability from Howard’s administration in the face of its current complicity,” Ngei Clair, of Whose Howard Is It? told The Informer. “A lot of students were reporting [via social media] that they were notified of past due balances just this summer. For a lot of students, these balances were very sudden and they were upwards of tens of thousands of dollars.”
Amid continued challenges, Brown told The Informer she has, for the most part, received positive support for her GoFundMe and the awareness she is raising about the broader financial crisis many students are facing. Nonetheless, not all the feedback has been understanding or supportive.
“I see people saying, ‘You knew Howard when you signed up for it,’” she said, noting it a mindset she deems unfair and harmful. “You’re basically saying that because somebody doesn’t come from a financially stable background, they don’t deserve the education and experiences a school like Howard has to offer.”
With the fall semester officially starting Aug.18, students say they value the opportunities Howard has given them, but want to see changes in their offices.
“We appreciate everything that Howard has offered us,” said Brown, “but we are coming to you as students and as supporters of the university, telling you that we would like to see changes in the bursar and financial aid office.”