ST BONAVENTURE, N.Y. — Saint Bonaventure University announced its highest committed incoming freshman class in 35 years.
On Tuesday, the school reported a 58% increase in students attending in the fall compared to 2015. As of Tuesday, 617 freshmen committed to the college.
"What our enrollment and financial aid teams accomplished, with the tremendous support of our Tech Services staff, is nothing short of remarkable during this extraordinarily challenging year," said Dr. Jeff Gingerich, university president. "The collective efforts of our entire campus community to build the programs that students want and to produce graduates that the world needs is a testament to the Bonaventure spirit."
Changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) left many parents frustrated with delays and issues. SUNY Chancellor John King last month called it "the greatest roadblock" to enrollment this year.
St. Bonaventure's Director of Undergraduate Admission, Dean Whitcomb, credits 27 new academic programs added since 2015. He also highlighted growing opportunities for student-athletes, including men's and women's Rugby, Track, Hockey, and men's Lacrosse programs.
He says those changes attracted students and credited the school's enrollment and financial aid departments.
"In about a week and a half time in mid-April, they were able to roll out 1,800 financial award letters, which was very close to catching us up to speed with where we would like to be," Whitcomb said. "We've continued to hit the gas, and continued to roll them out as quickly and efficiently as we could."
Whitcomb also credits the school's decision to become an Official Education partner of the Buffalo Bills. He says that exposure drew in more students from the Buffalo and Rochester areas.