Students walk past a building on Howard University in Washington, DC on August 28, 2024. "Hopefully, they won't look down on us anymore": on the campus of Howard, the black university that trained Kamala Harris 40 years ago, current students dream of the recognition that a victory for the White House candidate would bring to their institution. (Photo by Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Howard University is stepping to the mic after viral tweets accusing it of displacing up to 500 students ahead of the fall semester. News of the enrollment update began circulating late Wednesday (July 22). By Thursday, the talks had escalated, with weigh-ins from students, alumni, and even high-profile figures like Pastor Jamal Bryant. Howard is now clarifying the switch-up and the next steps students can take. The fall semester will begin on August 17.
As mentioned, social media was already going in on Howard hours before its Office of Communications dropped a statement. Threads, in particular, was popping off with reactions. While some reactions showed empathy for students, others explained that the enrollment update is a standard procedure. Others insisted that the update sparked a host of other issues for students and their families.
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Pastor Jamal Bryant Joins Viral Howard Talk
Pastor Jamal Bryant, a Morehose alum, is one of the first celebrities to publicly address the situation at Howard University. Taking to Threads, he shared prayers for the students and called on other HBCUs to step in.
“My heart and prayers going out to the 500 students displaced by Howard university trying to see what HBCUs can help take them. We cant let the spirits of these young scholars be broken ,” Bryant wrote.
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On Thursday, the Howard University Office of Communications addressed the ongoing backlash concerning their enrollment changes. The statement went live on its news hub, The Dig, and opened with acknowledging how “difficult and disappointing” the update was for students and their families. Then, the second bolded sentence explains the timeline of warnings impacted students received, beginning in March.
“Howard University provided multiple detailed communications throughout March, April, May, June, and July to first-time-in-college students and families on steps needed to secure enrollment for the fall 2026 semester,” the statement read. “Notifications included emails, personalized financial aid information, videos, and Bison Prep sessionsto help incoming students understand tuition payment requirements, payment plan options, the process for reporting outside scholarships, and the deadlines necessary to secure their enrollment.”
So what happened? Well, according to Howard University, the students who didn’t meet the payment expectations or the reporting deadline for scholarships and other financial aid got the boot. Or, as the statement said, “were notified that the University [could] no longer hold their place in the incoming class.”
In the meantime, Howard University will be reviewing information about “anticipated scholarship funding and other financial aid.” Additionally, it “will
consider relevant circumstances presented regarding pending scholarship awards and financial aid resources.”
Students who have questions can reach out to Howard University officials HERE.
