Hundreds of incoming Howard University students were informed weeks before the fall semester that they had been unenrolled due to unpaid bills, with the university citing a missed July 10 payment deadline. The students, who hail from across the country, were scheduled to begin moving into on-campus housing on August 3, with the fall semester commencing on August 17.
Isabella Williams, an incoming freshman from Alabama, was preparing for her move when she received the unenrollment notice. Williams stated she had two scholarships directly from Howard University that were intended to cover her remaining tuition balance. Despite being transparent with the university about expected funds in August, she was initially told "everything was fine." When she followed up, she was informed there was "no way for us to come back" and was advised to reapply as a transfer student for a future semester.
Williams's story gained traction after her Instagram post went viral, leading to hundreds of other incoming students reporting similar notices from the university. Following the viral attention, Williams's enrollment status was reportedly restored. Howard University later confirmed to ABC 7 that more than 500 students received the unenrollment notification.
Another student, Dwayne Irvin of Kansas City, Missouri, received his unenrollment notification just 12 days before he was set to leave for the university. MarLae’ Coffield, who had graduated her junior year with a 4.0 GPA, checked her account on July 11 to find a negative balance, indicating that aid and scholarships exceeded her tuition debt and that the university owed her money.
Howard University stated that it had repeatedly contacted students and families between March and July through emails, personalized financial aid information, videos, and prep sessions to inform them of payment deadlines. In a statement posted on X, the university acknowledged the concerns and challenges faced by students and families regarding the enrollment update. Howard University is reviewing cases involving pending scholarship and financial aid applications and will issue refunds for payments and scholarship funds already submitted, with the exception of the $800 deposits for tuition and housing.