THE NUMBER  of students who enrolled at the Far Eastern University in its Manila and Makati campuses significantly went down in the first semester of Academic Year 2020-2021, the university said.

The registrar’s office reported that there were only 19,223 enrollees, according to the FEU Advocate, the school’s publication.

University Registrar Dr. Gerald Villar said that health and financial concerns were the two major reasons behind the decline in the student population.

“Mayroon na big chunk ng students na hindi sila nag-enroll pero mag-rereturnee sila next semester due to health and number one factor of course is financial dahil sa pandemic,” Villar explained.

“In addition, some students requested to transfer to other schools while some freshmen enrollees withdrew their enrollment before the classes began last August 17,” he added.

Villar said that despite the health crisis, the university prepared measures so that it can maintain the delivery of quality education to the students.

Vice President for Academic Services Joeven Castro said that 14,985 students chose Mixed Online Learning, 4,099 opted for Asynchronous Online Learning and 139 for Total Analogue Learning.

“For me, the bottom line here is the experience of the students for this semester because this will serve as an indicator if students will continue to enroll. It is not about the numbers, it’s about helping our students fulfill their dreams,” Villar stressed.

The university also expanded its assistance to students by providing extension to the promissory note application and by offering various scholarships.