Students face long lines for money

The lines for financial aid disbursement were almost nonexistent at 11 a.m. But around 4 p.m. they began to grow.

And grow they did.

By 4:30 p.m., the line wrapped around the walls in the Student Services Building, went out the door, snaked around the corner, through the archway and to the entrance to the Mesa Vista Hall courtyard.

This semester, financial aid was disbursed by Social Security number instead of using an open disbursement system like the Bursar's office did the last two semesters.

But between the hours of 5 and 6 p.m., any student can pick up their check, regardless of Social Security number.

Leo Moya, UNM bursar, said the bursar's office went back to the regulated system because of what students waiting in line said last semester.

"Students in line wanted specific days," he said. "They wanted us to go back to the way it was two semesters ago."

He said last semester open disbursement was overwhelming for the bursar's and cashier's staff. He said the lines were also longer.

Tuesday at 4 p.m., Ryan Reeves found himself waiting in line hoping he wouldn't miss his 5:30 p.m. class, but he had only been in line 20 minutes. There were at least 50 people ahead of him, and the lines had yet to move.

Graduate student Sara Farinelli said she had been waiting since 3 p.m. to get her check. She wasn't waiting in line the whole time. Most of that time she was waiting for the 5 p.m. open disbursement time.

"I had to wander around and pick my nose," she said.

She said she was unaware of the change and traveled from Rio Rancho to get her check.

"For commuter students, it shouldn't be restricted," Farinelli said. "Now, I have two kids at home alone, I work full time, and I have to fit it into my schedule."

Moya said that between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., they will turn people away if wasn't their turn.

"If we don't control them, they will come anytime they want," he said.

UNM registrar Kathleen Sena was at the beginning of the cashier's line making sure students got approved to receive their financial aid.

Moya said the new system would make the lines shorter, but Sena was called to Student Services to help manage the long lines.

She said this is the first time UNM has had an open disbursement at a certain point in time. If they had known the lines would be so long, they probably would have started open disbursement earlier, she said.

When asked about the long lines, she said, "Those folks make the choice to stand in line for open disbursement."

Around 5 p.m., she was outside telling students they would be closing their doors at 6 p.m.

At 6 p.m. they locked the doors, but allowed students waiting inside to get their checks.

Senior Jovan Nichols said even though Tuesday was not her scheduled day, she had no complaints about waiting in line.

"I'm not complaining," she said. "I get my school for free because of this."