Even though Pell Grant award levels are specified in the continuing resolution, colleges will not know their final allocations of other types of aid like work study, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and Perkins Loans, the Kennedy release says.

But the delays shouldn't affect the distribution of Harvard awards. Harvard is more immune to federal uncertainty than other institutions because it is able to commit more of its own money to aid programs, Miller says.

As a result, the University will still be able to distribute its financial aid awards on time to students this year, Miller says.

"We'll have to make some guesstimates, but we will continue to notify people of their eligibility for aid on the same time frame," Miller says.

Financial aid packages for Harvard students may change somewhat when final federal numbers are available, but the changes will only be in the types of aid given, not total amounts, Miller says.

Student Efforts Key

One reason universities have not seen the drastic funding cuts once feared has been a massive effort by college administrators, professors and students to plead the case in Washington, Shireman says.

Harvard lobbyists agree with his assessment.

"These efforts have been successful in a large part due to the students," Nixon says. "So far they've been very active."

Still, some in Washington and around the country say the cuts in student aid are in the best interests of the students.

"I remain convinced that a balanced budget will also provide enormous benefits for students, as it will result in lower interest rates for future student loans," Sen. Pete V. Domenici (R-N.M.) says in a statement.

For this reason, Harvard's efforts in Washington will continue, Nixon says.

"Things look better, but I have to reserve judgement," Nixon says. "The first part of last year we were looking at $18 billion in cuts to loan programs, so really, it's all relative."