Washington, D.C., July 24, 2025
News Summary
Howard University students, particularly those nearing graduation, are experiencing a financial crisis following the transition to a new financial management system, Bison Hub. Many students, like Alissa Jones, have discovered unexpected tuition balances, leading to confusion and distress. With around 1,000 students affected, the university requires them to resolve their balances or enroll in payment plans quickly. Students are turning to fundraising efforts like GoFundMe to manage their financial burdens. Although the university acknowledges communication issues, it assures substantial institutional aid is available to assist students.
Washington, D.C. – Howard University students, particularly those nearing graduation, are facing a financial crisis as a result of a recent transition to a new financial management system, Bison Hub. The change has caused significant confusion regarding tuition balances, with many students discovering large amounts owed to the university.
Alissa Jones, a first-generation college student and only a few classes away from receiving her degree, was shocked to learn she owes approximately $57,540 to Howard University. Prior to this notification, her annual tuition costs never exceeded $15,000, mostly funded via scholarships. The new tuition balance was communicated to her after the university shifted from Bison Web to Bison Hub.
The impact of this system change has been widespread, as around 1,000 of the university’s 14,500 enrolled students are reported to have outstanding balances. Many students, like Jones, are confused about the sudden increase in tuition amounts, expressing concerns about the lack of communication from the administration regarding their financial standing.
Students are facing an urgent deadline, with the university requiring them to settle their balances or sign up for payment plans by an approaching Thursday. Moreover, these financial pressures have driven some students to create GoFundMe campaigns or other fundraising efforts to secure the funds needed to continue their education.
Another student, Kimora Hughes, discovered in April that she owed $15,000 after her financial aid application delayed her aid. In response, her family had to take out loans to cover her outstanding tuition. However, their frustrations grew as financial aid representatives were unable to confirm whether the loan had been processed, adding to the distress many are facing over their tuition obligations.
Adding to the challenge, some out-of-state students have reported difficulty in getting responses from the financial aid office, as their phone calls often go unanswered. This leaves them dependent on local peers to gather necessary information regarding their accounts, creating an environment of uncertainty and stress.
In response to the financial turmoil, Howard University has acknowledged that updates on student accounts were delayed during the transition to Bison Hub. However, the university has emphasized that it offers substantial institutional aid, amounting to approximately $210 million recently, to support students’ educational expenses.
Despite the overwhelming difficulties, Jones maintains a sense of hope, stating she is relying on prayers and faith to address her financial challenges. Other students echo her sentiment as they navigate uncertainties regarding their futures and seek solutions to the alarming tuition balances that surfaced after the transition.
FAQ Section
What triggered the financial crisis for Howard University students?
The financial crisis was triggered by the university’s transition from the old financial platform, Bison Web, to the new system, Bison Hub, which revealed unexpected tuition balances for many students.
How many students are affected by the tuition balance issues?
Approximately 1,000 out of 14,500 students at Howard University are reported to have past-due balances due to the transition.
What is the deadline for students to address their tuition balances?
Students are required to settle their balances or enroll in payment plans by an approaching Thursday.
What actions are students taking to cope with the financial demands?
Many students are creating GoFundMe campaigns and exploring other fundraising efforts to raise the necessary funds to continue their education.
How much institutional aid does Howard University offer?
Howard University reported offering approximately $210 million in institutional aid to support students’ educational needs.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Washington: Howard Students Discover They Owe Thousands After School Changes Financial Platform
- WUSA9: Incoming Freshman at Howard University Impacted by Financial Aid Issues
- The Hilltop: Howard ROTC Students Report Feeling Misled Over Reduced Funding
- Black Enterprise: Howard University Professor Launches GoFundMe for HBCU Students
- Politico: Kamala Harris at Howard University in the 1980s
- Wikipedia: Financial Aid in the United States
- Google Search: Howard University Financial Aid
- Google Scholar: Howard University Financial Aid
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Student Loan
- Google News: Howard University Tuition Issues
Author: STAFF HERE WASHINGTON DC
WASHINGTON DC STAFF WRITER The WASHINGTON DC STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWashingtonDC.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Washington, DC, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and regional news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Kennedy Center Honors, and the Washington Auto Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Washington Board of Trade and Destination DC, plus leading businesses in government contracting and technology that power the local economy such as Lockheed Martin and Amazon. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic landscape of the Washington metropolitan area.
