Financial Aid and Tuition Assistance
Each educational institution (campus or Online) should provide a catalog to prospective students. Contained within this catalog, information on financial aid and tuition assistance should be available. In the event that a prospective student asks FA related questions during an interview it is best to refer them to the Financial Aid Department.
Audrey,
Thank you for your post.
I do the same thing too. My role is a little different because I build awareness about our school but do not actually take prospective students through the admissions process. I get to connect them with the right people.
Dale,
Good advice to adhere to.
I will explian to best of knowlege but will always refer to finanicial aid
John,
FAOs are trained to answer the questions. Best to leave it to them.
It is the same practice at our institution. Admissions Reps here know very little about the financial aid process; the only way for the student to receive information about financial aid is to meet with a Financial Aid Officer.
Brook,
Comfort level is important as well as credibility. Good advice.
Nadia,
The catalog and the enrollment agreement constitute the contract with the student. The catalog provides the terms of the contract in detail.
Joshua,
You have provided strong advice for the post.
Jessica,
Good communication betweeen departments is so important in making sure we are all on the same page. When students receive conflicting information, it is a definite problem.
I agree, however it is necessary for admissions and FA to work hand in hand to make sure the student is knowledgeable about the program costs as well as the types of financial assistance the student can be eligible for.
I have heard of many situations where a student has been adamant about not wanting to take out loans of any kind while also stating they cannot make cash payments but the student was told "we'll figure out something" or "you and your financial aid representative can work it out". Admissions cannot discuss the student's financial aid but they should effectively communicate the cost of the program and point the student to the catalog where it explains the types of funds available to qualified students.
That is truly effective and agree with your post. someone also mentioned the catalog. I can not stress the importance of the Catalogs. I've taken time to read the Catalog and the inofrmation in there is clear cut.
I agree with Kedayne, when I am asked in detail questions about financial aid I also let them know that we have that option available, and that I will make sure they get to speak with our finanicial aid officer. If the officer is available at the time the student is asking questions it may even be beneficial to ask them to come answer a few questions while you step out for a moment. This may make the potential student feel better and your institution more credible.
Gustavo,
Our sector is very much under the microscope. Unfortunately, a few have placed our schools in a bad light.
Sirena,
Most schools keep any discussion of financial aid to the FA reps. They are the experts.
Every quarter, our admissions reps and financial aid team try to get together to discuss the latest and greatest so that we're all on the same page when it comes to answering general questions that our prospective students have. Also, we make sure to involve our Financial Aid during the weekly campus visit program we offer to prospective students.
Questions about financial aid are common in admissions. The best way to help someone concerned about this subject is to refer them to a financial aid advisor.
In part, career colleges have been under givernment scrutiny due to admissions advisors discussing inaccurate financial aid information with prospects.
I learned alot about financial aid when reading this blog...especially the part about disclosing all costs.
Normally I inform them of what financial aid and tuition assistance we have available and for which programs each assistance cover and inform the students you will be allowed to speak with some one from the student accounts or Financial Aid department to go in to further detail.
