NORFOLK, Neb. —Students across the country are preparing for graduation, but glitches and delays in financial aid have some seniors wondering where they're even going to college.

Counselors said students were not able to fill out the FAFSA until December 2023 rather than October.

And now, many have faced delays in processing their applications and report they have not received their Federal Student Aid (FSA) numbers.

“I know I talked to a couple students today and they said that because they did not have that number (FSA), it made housing difficult because they could not choose their college as soon," Norfolk Public Schools Counselor Heather Marotz said.

It’s a problem around the country and in Nebraska.

According to the National College Attainment Network, just under 35% of the class of 2024 has completed a FAFSA nationally.

And it’s similar for Norfolk Public Schools.

“We’ve got some students that are still waiting on whether or not they’re going to get any grants or loans so they’re a little bit uneasy about going to college," Norfolk Public Schools Counselor Kendra Marshall said.

As students wait for their financial aid to go through, colleges are dealing with the delays as best they can.

“With all the new things, we’re still running into new things all the time…unexpected things," Associate Director of Financial Aid at Wayne State Korri Risinger said.

Risinger said Wayne State is trying to be flexible with students.

Officials with Northeast Community College said applicants numbers have not gone down.

But a concern is the under 40% of applicants submitting their FAFSA.

As officials and students both navigate the new land of the form, both college officials and counselors said communication is important moving forward.