Admissions duties are to explain the benefit of going to school to the student. Financial Aid explains the benefits and eligibility of financial aid to the student. And they must stay separate for that purpose.
Admissions representatives role is to explain the benefits the school has to offer. Financial Aid Officers provide information on funding eligibility that may be available to the student. Financial Aid may never be offered as an admission enticement.
Bernadette,
This is the classic example of separation of duties. How can you avoid either department crossing those boundaries.
Cindy Bryant
Admissions and Financial Aid have two different roles in helping the student make a important decision about the school. Admissions has a approach about the school to inform them of what we offer the student and financial aid informs them of how they can afford to pay for it and what types of funding that we can offer them. It is important not to step on any of the Admissions or financial aid bounders.They are here to help each student and not to confuse them with things they do not know and it is important to direct them to the right department.
Cindy,
You are so on point. Admissions should explain the benefits of the school. In other words are we right for the student and is the student right for us. Finanical Aid is there to help the student understand eligibilty and how to offset the cost of the education.
Gloria,
Hi, welcome to the forum. I agree, many times Admissions and Financial Aid fail to have an understanding of each departments limitations. What would be the best way to create a more team oriented environment between Admissions and FA?
Cindy Bryant
It is important that admission and FA have an understanding for there duities to better help and direct the student
Belinda,
You are right on point! Admissions duty is to explain the benefits of the school and Financial Aid's duty is to explain the benefit and eligibility of financial aid. Never the two shall meet.
Cindy Bryant
Admissions main duty is to inform the student about the school, it's programs, how to be admitted, and specific aspects of applying for school. The financial piece- everything about how to apply and get federal aid- must fall completely to the financial aid officer. An Admissions officer is not trained on the intricacies of federal aid- it's rather detailed, complicated, and very specific in terms of who is eligible. The area of financial aid needs to be left to an expert and both areas can't be done justice. It is also a huge conflict of interest. The Admissions officer is there to provide information and guidance- we don't want a student's financial situation or possible fincial aid potential to cloud the admissions' officers actions. Keep them seperate!
Sharon,
Can you think of two departments where separation is more important than ever.
Cindy Bryant
Admissions is somewhat of a "sales" position that should never discuss financial aid because that would be classified as enticement. Financial Aid Representatives could use Title IV funding as an enrollment tool if they were completing the admissions process. So, it is very important that the two positions and duties stay separate.
Conflicts can and will arise if one person is able to complete the entire process. This separation is important in keeping everyone accountable.
There are clear guidelines and restrictions in place governed by goverment and accrediting bodies on the roles of admissions and financial services. These need to be followed to insure first of all that each party is carrying out their respective role, and secondly so that it insures no danger to the institution receiving funding and accreditation so it can carry on its mission. One could look at these distinctions as simply requirements, but there is a broader perspective involved that also speaks to successful discharge of these school functions so that students are served properly in the educational process.
Both the admissions and financial aid roles involve providing highly specialized information. The admissions team must provide accurate, factual information that allows the student to make an informed choice as to whether or not she or he will enroll in the school. The financial aid team, on the other hand, must provide information that directs the student to financial options available to him or her.
Moreover, and as financial aid must not be used as an enticement to attend the institution, it is ideal that discussion of the topic be segregated from the admissions process altogether.
Keith,
Welcome to the forum! Admissions and Financial Aid represent the most common separation. The conflict arises when the same person who enrolls the person is the person that can request and receive the funds. Admissions enrolls, FA advisor's discuss options, another FA person disburses finds and the Business office receives the funds. This keeps everyone happy and out of trouble.
Cindy Bryant
The separation is important because admissions involves sales and financial aid involves discovering options for payment. If the two roles are combined, there can likely be a conflict of interest. Separating the two roles also provides an inherent checks and balances system.
Admissions personnel are often perceived in a "sales" role. This alone is a deterant from having an admissions person provide financial aid information. Financial Aid Representatives are highly trained in their responsibilities and are there to assist the student with financial aid information. Admissions representatives are there to communicate to the student the information for them to see the benefits of an education. Both jobs are very different.
Admissions personnel are responsible for helping students sort through all the questions they have concerning their ability to be a successful student at this school. The questions of demands, time involved, quality education and school atmosphere as well as student's ability to succeed are all area for discussion. Financial Aid personnel assist the student with finding a way to make it affordable for the student to fulfill their desire to attend if they so decide.Both departments are crtical but they provide very different functions.
