by Ryan Floersheim and Felicia Fonseca
Daily Lobo
In an effort to get UNM students their financial aid money faster, the University Bursar's office is trying a new disbursement system this semester, but it made for a long, hectic day Tuesday.
In the past, financial aid disbursement at the University was staggered through the first week of school based on students' social security numbers.
Many UNM students, eager to get their allocated money, went against the system's rules and showed up at the Cashier's Office before their designated day, said UNM Bursar Leo Moya.
"We weren't going to keep their money from them, so we would go ahead and give the money to them, even though it went against the system's rules," he said. "It got to the point that the system was not working."
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To increase the disbursement system's efficiency, the Bursar's Office, in coordination with the University's Financial Aid Department, opted to do away with the program and leave it up the students to fight it out for first dibs on financial aid checks.
"We are relying on the students to control themselves," Moya said.
The new system, which places no boundaries on when students can get their financial aid, is expected to make for some very long lines at the beginning of this week, he said.
"We know that things will be hectic at first, but we are trying something new to get students their money as fast as possible," he said. "If a student is willing to stand in line, they will get their check. If not, they can come back later."
But the conditions on Tuesday were worse than anyone expected. The line of students waiting eagerly for their checks snaked through the Student Services Center and well outside the building.
There were about 300 to 400 people in the line at noon, with the wait estimated at one and a half to two hours for much of the day.
Many students, frustrated with the long line, said they understand that the move is to benefit them and are willing to put up with the inconvenience.
"Yeah it sucks, but what are you going to do?" said freshman Alberto Estrada. "No one wants to wait in line this long, but if this system runs better, I'm all for it."
Moya said introducing the system this semester will be especially hectic because of the short school week. He said the cashier's office has improved their systems to accommodate a larger amount of students and can produce 1,500 to 2,000 checks a day.
He added that the cashiers office is open until 6 p.m. and said that is the least crowded time for students to pick up their check.
Ron Martinez, director of UNM's Financial Aid Department, said getting rid of the old system was essentially removing a barrier that wasn't being enforced.
"The old system was based on good ideas, but just didn't work effectively," he said.
Martinez said he expects the new system might mean longer lines at first, but makes sense in the name of making the process as trouble-free as possible.
"I think it will be something that will benefit the student body for years to come as long as students understand and respect how things are run," he said.
