Financial Aid
I know that we cannot talk about financial aid. Is it ok to tell the student that financial aid is composed of grants and loans and follow by defining grants and loans?
Isabelle,
Many schools do, but also you want to keep that personal contact with the prospective student.
Patty Aronoff
in a new school environment, is it acceptable to direct prospects to the internet so to avoid misinformation
Tiffany,
It really depends upon the management of the school. Best practices separate the departments and the information that is provided.
Patty Aronoff
What is it that admissions can say to students about financial aid? I know the departments are seperate and financial aid is more knowledgeable and they do all the students grants loans and so forth. A lot of students want to know first and foremost, how much will school cost.
Randy,
It is very important that students remain financially responsible both while in school and out of school. Default rates affect the bottom line.
Patty Aronoff
In my role I work not only in an admissions capacity but I also help students with FAFSA and provide breakdowns of how Financial Aid works, repayment schedules, and the different types of grants that are out there ranging from PELL to TEACH grants. The most important discussion I have with my students, or had when I was an admissions rep, was responsible borrowing and exploring every possible means of paying for school before using student loans.
Jonathan,
Financial aid is best left to the experts! We can provide general information, but it is very complex.
Patty Aronoff
I don't know to much about financial aid. So I am always very careful with what I do tell prospective students and always encourage them to reference the Financial Aid Calculator on our website, as well as give the contact to our Financial Aid Director.
Elizabeth,
I understand your process and thank you for bringing it to the forum. There are so many different ways a student can finance school and it does not have to be federal financial aid.
Patty Aronoff
At our school, veterans may use chapters 30 and 33 to pay for their courses. However, we are a smaller school, similar to a trade school, and we do not have any financial aid avaialble unless you are a veteran. We do not have a financial aid officer. Therefore, we handle it all, admissions and questions regarding financial aid. Our website also addresses the question of financial assistance in our FAQ section.
ARGELIA,
Excellent! There is nothing wrong in tuning them over to Financial Aid where they are the subject matter experts.
Patty Aronoff
Patricia ,
Good advice! We never want to give misleading information whether intentional or unintentional.
Patty Aronoff
Aixa,
It is not that you cannot talk about financial aid, but it is best practice to have the financial aid discussion separated from admissions. Admissions often gives an overview of financial options but the details are given by the Financial Aid Officer.
Patty Aronoff
I usually tell them that there is financial aid available and that a rep from that department will be contacting them.
I always tell my students that I will be taking them to Financial aid and that they will be going over loans,grants and options and just leave it at that.
