The initial shock of Hurricane Katrina has subsided, the floodwaters have been pumped out and 160 Loyola University New Orleans students still remain at Saint Louis University awaiting reconstruction. At their displacement, SLU announced that it would match whatever scholarships and grants transfer students were awarded by their home institutions, and that original plan still stands today.

SLU’s effort to accommodate Loyola students follows suggestions made by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU), which stated “parents will not lose any payments made to Loyola” in a Sept. 7 press release. The AJCU is not a governing body, but merely offered suggestions for Jesuit universities welcoming transfer students.

Recently, however, many Loyola students have received bills dated Sept. 28 for SLU’s fall semester. The University claims this was a result of a computer automated system and that families were notified that they would be receiving a bill beforehand.

In a Sept. 20 letter sent to all Loyola families, the University stated, “Within the next few weeks you will receive a billing statement. We do understand many previously paid your home institution. We will continue to work with you regarding payments at SLU.”

SLU has assured Loyola families that they will not pay twice, although there is a stipulation stating that if there is a difference or discrepancy (i.e. meal plans or housing is more expensive) between Loyola’s tuition and SLU’s tuition, that the students would be required to pay the balance to SLU.

In addition, the AJCU agreement led to much confusion because some families are under the impression that they do not owe SLU whatsoever; however, if the money they paid to Loyola does not cover the student’s cost at SLU, they must pay the extra balance.

Some transfer students have yet to pay their home university, in which case they will pay SLU directly.

“I went to financial services and received a bill for $12,000 because they can’t give me credit for my scholarship yet, but SLU will honor the scholarship and deduct it eventually,” said senior Tulane transfer Denise Gass.

Yesterday, Loyola students received an e-mail message from John Baworowsky, vice president of enrollment and academic services, stating that, “Loyola University of New Orleans is planning to transfer funds paid by students currently attending SLU this fall- Once Loyola confirms the amount previously paid by each student, [SLU] will post a credit in that amount to each student’s account.”

Baworowsky further noted that no New Orleans undergraduate student will be assessed a late fee, provided they work with Student Financial Services to develop a plan for payment.

One of the main problems students have faced regarding financial information seems to be communication.

“We are not used to Banner or WebCT, so it’ difficult to access all this information. I would say the communication is lacking and difficult because I’m not used to SLU’s communication channels,” said Gass.

Overall, however, SLU has been regarded as a University that is very accommodating to those students displaced by the hurricane.

“SLU really did a fabulous job getting all the hurricane victims here. SLU was willing to look at and grant my scholarship and Wash. U. wouldn’t consider it,” said Gass.

In the closing of the letter, Baworowsky said “We greatly regret the confusion about billing and financial aid. Saint Louis University has had the best of intentions since we opened our doors to nearly 190 students affected by Hurricane Katrina. As too often happens in the case of emergencies, many competing voices make well-meaning statements that confuse rather than clarify.”