Students at Howard University gather to discuss their unexpected tuition debts and seek solutions.
Washington, D.C., July 31, 2025
Howard University is currently experiencing significant unrest among its students after over 1,000 were unexpectedly notified of tuition debts due to issues arising from a new student account system transition. Many students were shocked to find outstanding balances dating back up to two years, leading to a pressing payment deadline. In response, students have initiated fundraising efforts and formed an advocacy group to address these financial hurdles. Howard University is attempting to resolve the situation by extending office hours and offering financial counseling.
Howard University is witnessing a significant backlash from its student body after over 1,000 students were unexpectedly informed of outstanding tuition balances following the transition to a new student account system. Many students, including Artavious Thompson, were caught off guard when they received emails revealing debts as high as $12,807, supposedly dating back up to two years.
The transition from the former system, BisonWeb, to the new platform, BisonHub, has resulted in delays in properly updating student accounts. The university acknowledges that these balances are not new debts, but rather an oversight created during the data transfer process, which occurred between January and June 2025 and was previously communicated to students.
As a result, students are facing pressing deadlines to pay these balances—August 31—as they seek solutions to a situation many were unaware of until recently. Howard University has taken steps to address the issue by extending in-person and virtual office hours, offering financial counseling, and expanding payment plan options. However, the payment plans do carry interest and do not accept scholarships or financial aid to settle the overdue amounts, further complicating the matter for students already in financial distress.
Frustrated by the lack of support and communication from the university’s financial aid office, which has limited response hours, students have taken matters into their own hands. Ni-Jilé Young, a rising senior, has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist fellow students in covering their unexpected past balances. Other students, like Alissa Jones and Kimora Hughes, have also shared distressing experiences about suddenly owing large amounts that far exceed their prior debts.
To navigate this challenging scenario, students have formed an advocacy group called ‘Whose Howard is It?’ This group aims to connect students with financial aid resources while amplifying their concerns through social media platforms. In a collaborative effort, students have also set up multiple mutual aid campaigns and an Instagram page to support their fundraising initiatives, resulting in some successfully raised funds already.
It is important to note that more than 70% of Howard’s student population demonstrates high financial needs, with over 40% qualifying for Pell Grants. This demographic factor only adds to the urgency of resolving the situation as many students rely on financial assistance to pursue their education. Howard University’s estimated cost of attendance for the 2025-26 academic year is around $64,000, highlighting the financial burden students face.
The university has released multiple statements addressing student concerns on social media; however, it is notable that they have deleted three out of four of these communications. The administration maintains that they are committed to resolving challenges related to student accounts. Urgent calls from the advocacy group encourage the university to invest more in financial aid resources, reform the financial aid model, and improve transparency regarding the existing communication failures.
The situation at Howard University serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding higher education costs and access. While the administration is taking steps to alleviate the issue, the affected students are actively seeking support and solutions, demonstrating resilience amid financial challenges.
Students must pay their balances or enroll in a payment plan by August 31.
The balances were the result of a transition from an old student portal system to a new one, causing delays in updating accounts and leading to past debts resurfacing.
Howard University has expanded financial counseling services, office hours, and payment plan options to help students address these unexpected debts.
Students have formed mutual aid campaigns and an advocacy group called ‘Whose Howard is It?’ to assist with fundraising and to amplify their concerns about financial aid resources.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Affected Students | Over 1,000 students |
| Email Notification Example | Artavious Thompson informed of a $12,807 debt |
| Old System | BisonWeb |
| New System | BisonHub |
| Deadline for Payments | August 31 |
| Estimated Cost of Attendance | $64,000 for 2025-26 academic year |
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