'This is make or break' — students are still waiting on financial aid days ahead of National College Decision Day

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Few college admission cycles have been as hard on students as this one. National College Decision Day — the deadline most schools set to decide on a college — is just two weeks away. But many college hopefuls are still unsure of where they stand financially, as problems persist with the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid. "This is make or break for students," said Ellie Bruecker, interim director of research at the Institute for College Access and Success. "We are really concerned about high school seniors having to make decisions about where to go to college — or whether to go to college — with such limited information." More from Personal Finance: FAFSA 'fiasco' could cause decline in college enrollment Harvard is back on top as the ultimate 'dream' school More of the nation's top colleges roll out no-loan policies In ordinary years, financial aid award letters are sent around the same time as offers of admission in early spring, giving students a month or more to make informed enrollment decisions ahead of National College Decision Day on May 1. For most students and their families, the college they choose hinges on the amount of financial aid offered and the breakdown between grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities and student loans. However, this year, those award letters have been significantly delayed, as the Department of Education works to resolve ongoing issues with the new form. Even some applications submitted early now have to be reprocessed due to problems with applicants' tax data.