Discussing Financial Aid
The Financial Aid section was rather vague on the rules and regulations from a compliancy standpoint on what we are able to discuss and what we aren't able to discuss. In addition, what questions we are not permitted to ask them in an interview including salary history, dependency related questions, etc. I was under the idea that Admissions Representatives weren't permitted to elaborate on some of the financial aid topics. I've always referred them to the "all-knowing" Financial Aid Representatives to ensure that they receive the most accurate information and avoid anything remotely close to eligibility questions.
Any further clarification available?
Debra,
It is the consensus that FA be handled that way.
I agree with this we can touch on it but best it's but for the F/A department to handle it
Daniel,
Great advice! Leave it to the experts.
Yareliss,
Many students confuse financial aid and other funding options. Your school must be accredited in order to apply for Title IV funds.
Both institutions that I have worked for are by-the-book regarding F/A..
We refer that since we are an accredited institution that they are welcome to apply and then we connect them to "the experts" in our financial aid team to go over the hows, whens, and all other pertinent details.
That way all of the discussion is handled by the people that know best.
Thank you all for your postings. At the school I work for I do mention the options available to the student but always refer them to the financial assistance office. It gets a bit tricky especially since the school that I work for does not have title IV funds available as of yet. Sometimes I feel that if I don't mention something at all the student will think they automatically qualify and sometimes try and leave without speaking to the student financial assistant representatives.
Nate,
Answering the question of how am I going to pay for school is the big one. Being able to meet those obligations is very important.
Aaron,
Thank you for posting your process. Excellent procedures.
That is the number one thing are students are asking about, it needs to be important to us because it is important to them!
At my organization Admissions Representatives are not allowed to discuss financial aid with the prospective student. If a student asks a question concerning FA, they must be transferred to a FA agent or set-up for a call-back from a FA agent.
Robinson,
Excellent advice. Great posting for all to read.
Jamie, I certainly do agree with you... It is amazing how quickly they are to say, "well, my admissions rep told me..." I've heard horror stories about this and what I tell them is this: My role is to help you make career decision. Any financial questions that you have, I will take you to the best person in our FAD who will assist you... Any questions regarding the programs, I will be more than happy to assist... Whatever Financial questions you have, make sure that you write them all down to make sure that you don't forget a thing!
I agree 100% with that statement. Financial aid is best to leave to the financial aid officers.
Angelica,
It is so important to direct the students to FA.
Jamie,
Very good advice. Thank you for your posting.
I truly believe that in some cases students do hear what they want to hear. And when it comes to information regarding how they will qualify for Financial Aid it is best to "leave it to the financial aid experts". Just as we are trained on specifics of how we present information in admissions and our processes, they have similar standards. If we in admissions are not trained on the specifics of financial aid, why should we be having an in depth conversation and assume what they may qualify for. A brief explaination of what we offer should be covered and any further questions that that student has we should tell them to save those questions for the experts as we don't want to misinform them.
I agree. Let the experts on Financial Aid answer the detailed questions. They are the ones that know all the changes happening on a daily basis. That is why they are FAO'S. They have the qualifications and proper information to best serve the students.
Mark,
Excellent advice in your posting.
I do agree that it is best to leave those questions with the Financial Aid Department. It can become a "slippery slope" very quickly when an admissions adviser tries to answer too many questions in regards to financial aid. Years ago, they would tell an admissions representative that you may review anything that is located/printed in the school catalog and/or "The annual Guide to Federal Student Aid". Poor communications occur and students sometimes have "selective" hearing. In the climate we are in right now, I refer all financial aid questions to the Financial Aid Department.
