Tennessee State cuts 400 students

NASHVILLE, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Officials at Tennessee State University say financial problems have forced them to drop 400 students and give them 48 hours to leave residence halls.

The students received the letters Monday after more than 1,300 students were given a deadline of last Friday to secure financial aid or be cut, WSMV-TV, Nashville, reported.

Donations from alumni, faculty and local organizations saved 900 students but left the remaining 400 out of luck, said Michael Jones, a university spokesman.

The university traditionally has had to purge students, but the situation is far worse this year because the university faces a $6 million shortfall, tuition has increased, many students no longer qualify for loans and lenders have been slow to release money, Jones said, noting faculty layoffs will be announced later this month.