Our campus has recently instituted a default prevention task force, bringing more faculty members into the conversation than just the Financial Aid Office. While efforts are made during students' enrollment, one of the new initiatives suggested is to involve Career Services in default prevention, since this is the primary department that stays in communication with students after graduation. We will be mentioning loan repayment and the importance of being in communication with your loan servicer in the monthly e-news letters sent out by Career Services, as well as having our Financial Aid administrator present at Career Fairs to answer questions and follow up with recent graduates about where they are with loan repayment.
As an employee of Champion College Services, I've spoken to thousands of students with loans and I honestly feel like a short life skill class would benefit them well. Perhaps a class that could be held every quarter or semester to reassure these skills.
The class should include diverse topics such as career planning, communication, daily living, home life, housing and money management, self care, social relationships, work and study skills, work life, even pregnancy and parenting as all these topics tend to intertwine and affect one another.
Life skill classes can many times be inspirational and leave a student wanting to initiate positive change, furthermore, it can impact particularly how they handle their student debt.
You would think that such topics could be unexciting for students, but it's often quite the contrary. When I was in college, the "stress management" course offered was always high in demand and immediately filled when available.
Excellent point, making it convenient for the students to get their questions answered is important. Get to the students while they have things on their mind.
I feel that there are great points in this module to help the students. I feel it is very important for the students to have a clear understanding of the importance of paying their loans, and the options available to them. I feel the more knowledge someone has the more likely they are to act.
When EVERYONE is involved with default prevention, this will give the students easy access for answers to their questions that they may have. The easier it is for them to be able to talk to someone, the more likely they will ask the questions needed for them to make wise decisions. If they have a simple question but have to wait for an appointment with someone they may just not ask it.
Great tips in this Module.
Joy,
I really like your comment about financial responsibilities in relation to coursework. Conceptualizing all aspects of a student’s education as a seamless single set of tasks and responsibilities is a good way to encourage students to take their loans seriously, as well as a way to align all departments to a single shared set of goals.
Kellee Gunderson
Our Admissions office and faculty are definitely not as involved as the suggestions made in this course. At this juncture, Career Services is very supportive with their student connection and willing participants to provide student loan repayment and default materials to students. The financial aid office participates in several of their functions. To get Admissions and faculty on board, our first step will be to get a task force together which will include Admissions staff, and faculty memebers. Our Campus president will surely support the initiative. We will first need to change the mindset of the Admissions staff to not be afraid of loans. It is a fact of life in this day and age. The faculty as well will need to change their think to realize the financial aid office is necessary and students have business responsibilities just as they have responsibilities to their classwork. Once these thought processes have been changed, moving forward should be easy and everyone will benefit
Our school is very important we have posters and plenty of brouchures. Also have brochures in the office.
Myrna,
You have summed things up nicely. It truly is caring about you students and helping them make the right choices that will help them be successful after they leave school.
Cheryl Kesson
I think that both offices should focus on what's best for the student and make sure that we (Admissions and Financial Aid) let the student know that we are there to help them through the process. If we honestly care and counseled them throughtout the program they will think about what truly is the best for them.
Also, reinforce on a regular basis this information, so when they are on their own they can make the best decision.
Paula,
I think when providing references is viewed part of the admission process for getting into school students are more apt to leave good references. Financial Aid may get completely different references at another point which just gives you more references in the end should you need them.
Cheryl Kesson
We try to get admission to have the new student fill out a reference sheet with there paperwork. and are trying to see if the teachers will keep us update to the student changeing information.
They can provide positive feedback to students and can update reference and address unfirmation for future use.
I would add a suggestion that if class materials, syllabi, or quizzes are offered online, this creates a great opportunity to prompt students to provide updated contact information.
Kellee Gunderson
Coordination between departments will go a long way toward leaving students with a good impression. If faculty, career services/placement, and admissions all know when to refer students to financial aid, the institution appears organized and the importance of the FA office is also emphasized.
In Forum 3, there was an interesting debate about how a school’s default rate may influence its reputation. Keeping rates low is another way to help potential students and alumni value the diploma, certificate, or credentials granted by an institution so that they can have confidence in their decision to attend your college.
Dave,
Positive interactions and a supportive, encouraging environment really prove to the student that they made a good choice. It's important to maintain these relationships after they leave school as well to help the student stay on the right track.
Cheryl Kesson
Dave,
Absolutely! A student that has a great school experience will be more likely to complete the program and understand their obligations when it comes time to pay back their loans. They are also going to be a great reference for the school and could up referring friends or family.
Cheryl Kesson
Dave,
You are absolutely correct that it is a group effort. Instructors can offer reminders during class to keep information up to date. Having the tools in the classroom to update this can make it more convenient for the student. They are less likely to forget to do this if they can complete right away.
Cheryl Kesson
Make the student feel they made the right decision coming to your college.
Both admissions and the instructors should make going to school and learning a fun and rewarding experience.
