Federal Student Aid Office Apologizes For FAFSA Tweet That Seemed To Mock Poor People

(CBS SF) -- A U.S. Department of Education division well-known to many college students has apologized for a tweet that prompted an outcry over what critics called its lack of sensitivity.

Federal Student Aid, which administers the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), tweeted a popular meme of actress Kristen Wiig in a scene of the movie Bridesmaids with the caption 'Help me. I'm poor.'

The image was accompanied by text from @FASFA saying 'If this is you, then you better fill out your FAFSA: fafsa.gov.'

The attempt at humor generated a wave of criticism on Twitter from people who felt the government was mocking poor people, while others noted students need not fall below the federal poverty line to qualify for student financial aid.

The tweet was quickly deleted and followed by an apology tweet from @FAFSA, saying 'We apologize for the insensitivity of our previous tweet.'

Not everyone found the tweet to be offensive, however.

The deadline for submitting a FAFSA in order to be considered for federal student aid for the 2014-2015 school year is June 30 at midnight Central Time. California and other states have earlier deadlines for state aid.