By Maria Carrasco, NASFAA Staff Reporter
After a preliminary October report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCRC) claimed that there was decline in college freshman enrollment for the 2024-25 year, the organization this week said that freshman enrollment actually increased this fall term.
According to the NSCRC, it has identified a methodological error affecting the calculation of freshman enrollment in the organization’s preliminary enrollment report, known as the Stay Informed Report, which was released in October 2024. That report initially stated the freshman enrollment for the 2024-25 year was down 5% from the previous 2023-24 year.
This error also affected the NSCRC’s Special Analysis of 18-year-old Freshman report, which was released in November, the organization noted.
The NSCRC said that it will release more details on freshman enrollment in its Current Term Enrollment Estimates report on January 23.
“The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center acknowledges the importance and significance of its role in providing accurate and reliable research to the higher education community,” said Doug Shapiro, executive director of the NSCRC, in a statement. “We deeply regret this error and are conducting a thorough review to understand the root cause and implement measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.”
Initially, when the preliminary finding of a 5% decline in freshman enrollment was announced in October, many in the higher education community speculated that the decline was due to the rollout of the 2024-25 FAFSA – which was riddled with errors, glitches, and delays for students.
Department of Education Under Secretary James Kvaal said in a statement that the department is “encouraged and relieved” that updated data shows freshman enrollment is up.
“The increase is consistent with what we are seeing on the financial aid side: more than 5% more students are receiving federal aid this year,” Kvaal said in a statement. “Thank you to the high schools, college counselors, colleges and universities, and community organizations for pulling together to help students and families through a tough year.”
Publication Date: 1/16/2025
You must be logged in to comment on this page.