Admissions and Financing
why is it important for Admissions and Financing to have two separate departments. Why do you think the Admissions rep should not handle financing as well as enrollment?
Thanks!
Yenniz,
Many people feel that it is a best practice to have the two departments separate. Then there is no pressure and signing here for financial aid as opposed to enrollment.
Patty Aronoff
Lena,
Admissions and financial aid as separate departments is a common practice. Because financial aid is so complex, we leave those matters of personal finance to the subject matter experts.
Patty Aronoff
The mission of each department is different. Two departments is a must. Otherwise it looks shady.
I think its important to have Admissions and Finance in two completely separate departments because potential students get overwhelm very easily, especially after receiving so much information during their initial meeting about the school and its programs offered.
Financial aid just brings about more confusion in the process and also it may make the student second guess their decision. At least if the departments are both separated, once the student is sold on the program--nothing the Financial Counselor can say could deter the student from reaching his/her dreams no matter what the cost is.
Greg,
Transparency and thorough knowledge is what makes this a great experience for our students. They rely on us for thorough information that they can make the decision of their life.
Patty Aronoff
this is a great question - I also believe from an 'optics' point of view, having financial aid people sit in on admissions discussions/interviews, etc and meeting with prospective students can be off-putting to some students. There is a role to be played by admissions officers in being able to clearly state what options are available for applicants, and then once admitted the financial aid team should be active in explaining detailed options and answering questions. In my experience this can be a great opportunity to team, but at the right point in the process - after admittance.
I agree.. It is soooo important that the admissions representative understand the FA so that the students can go to the FA rep and know what to expect.. I can understand how this can be a problem also.. you may have cases where the admissions rep may try to direct a student that he/she feels may not qualify. They may describe the process wrong.
Jonathan,
There has always been an issue with admissions dealing with the financial aspect of enrollment. It's a compliance best practice to have both departments separate so that the student is provided separate but thorough information.
Patty Aronoff
Why is it important to keep them separate? I believe it comes down to human nature: admissions has an enrollment goal; finance has a completion goal.
Jonathan Morris
Amanda ,
This practice is that we give a full service to the student upon arriving at the school. It is important that they receive all the information so they can make a solid decision.
Patty Aronoff
Joel,
It is a best practice to keep the two departments separate. Admissions is working on getting new enrollments and financial aid is a very complex area of expertise.
Patty Aronoff
Rick,
There are many good reasons to keep the departments separate. As you state time management is one of them. It also gives the students an opportunity to delve into their personal financial situation with the financial expert.
Patty Aronoff
There does need to be separation between processing FA and admissions, however having a third party servicer can remedy this separation. I handle admission and I am the Financial Aid Director. For many students, the process is easier if they can get all of their information in one visit. I think it important for the Admissions office to understand FA and help students understand their options.
It is imperative to keep the two departments separate to avoid any conflict of interest and ensure that our practices continue to stay in the best interest of our students.
Lauren,
It is a best practice to keep the two separate. Often there are conflicts between financing and the pressure to enroll.
Patty Aronoff
I feel there are many reasons to have two separate departments. Time management is always an issue. To be able to take the time necessary to thoroughly interview a student and take them on a tour, then walk them through the challenges of financial aid would limit the number of students you could process in a day to one or two or less. That's without considering all of the other job responsibilities you may also have such as entering leads, returning phone calls, emails, etc. As admissions personnel, we need to generate a steady flow of quality students for our instructors to teach. Being able to fill classrooms with qualified students at the beginning of each class session is the task we need to master.
