Comunication
Better comunication between Fin. Aid and the
student.
Jessica,
Your process seems like a very "student-friendly" process. It enables the student to build trust with each department before being moved to the next step. It is critical that your students know who to contact since you do not want to cause them any undue concerns or stress.
Sincerely,
Chyrl Ayers
We do the same at our school as Andrea's, once a prospective student comes in to talk with our admissions officer, she then passes them into my office. I give them an overview of what their financial options are and I always hand them my business card at the end of our meeting and ask them to call if they have anymore questions.
Magdali,
A student's experience is always enhanced when the entire college works together for success. I encourage all departments to share information in meetings, writing and verbal communication. The more communication between departments the greater opportunity to ensure a consistent experience for the student.
Sincerely,
Chyrl Ayers
I agree the good communication between admission and FA staff, also it is very import an have a excellent communication with the students and explain them all their responsibility, process and FA package.
Erica,
Clear and concise comunication is a must in dealing with students and meeting their needs. It is critical that the entire management team maintain an open line of comunication when dealing with students.
Sincerely, Chyrl
I agree with your comment. I have seen first hand that if one person has not been informed (left out of communication) problems may arise. Confusion and disorganization tend to be what the students perceive when communication is lacking.
Erica,
Open communication is a critical part of the overall effectiveness of the school and student relationship. It is important to communicate with the student on his/her process and to insure that other departments are aware of the student's process. The entire team is responsible for the student's experience.
Best wishes in your continued online education process.
Sincerely, Chyrl
I agree that it is not only important to clearly communicate with the students, but also within departments. You can not be successful at either one without having open communication.
Dina,
Your points on the need to be direct and clearly articulate your position is excellent. I completely agree with your points on the need to comunicate directly with your studnets - clear and concise directions. I love your comment on FA being an experience - it is brillant.
Best wishes on your continued education.
Chyrl
Cheryl,
I agree communication is the most important. If there is poor communication then there is room for error. I know that some people are poor in communication but in my experiance it is very difficult to complete a task on the 1st try if the communication is not clear. I am the type of person that goes back to a person and reiterates what is being asked of me. I feel this works for me so that I can complete my tasks in a more timely manner. I also think that company policy and procedures should be clear not only for a Financial Aid officer to be to read and follow but a student as well. WE should be making things as clear and easy for our students as possible. FA should not be a task for them but an experience.
Brenda,
Your posting definitely speaks to the need for communication in a writren format. Students need a document to refer back to and ensure their understanding of the insitution's process. Also, providing the email or phone number for additional guidance or clarification is an excellent idea.
Thanks, Chyrl
Communication does not exist solely in a verbal manner. Written communication has proven to work with our students in a positive and permament manner.
We have created a "Financial Aid Question & Answer Booklet" for our graduate professional students that covers all student loan programs, academic progress requirements, loan limits, aggregate limits and other questions asked by both current and incoming students. This booklet is provided at time of application, again at Orientation and at Exit Interviews.
There is a section indicating any questions or concerns not addressed in the booklet can be answered via e-mail or phone at the student's convenience.
I have found the written communication and the permanentcy of the booklet allows for referral when a particular situation arises rather than relying only on our verbal communications with students. Our booklet has been successful for several years.
We have had to update the booklet since the creation of the "Grad Plus Loan" as this particular loan generates the majority of questions and concerns.
Kim,
It is important to always remain courteous and patient when dealing with students and parents. The more information that you are able to provide the more comfortable they will be with the process. Open and clear communication is extremely important in the relationship between students and their financial aid advisor.
Thanks, Chyrl
Another key point to remember is that often times students and/or their parents feel overwhelmed at their first Financial Aid meeting and may later still be confused even though we think we've done a good job communicating the first time. We may then be called on to explain things a second time, and we should be just as courteous and patient as we were the first time.
Kim
Good communication ensures that a student/parent fully understands their FA package and bonds the student with FA and Admissions staff.
Communication is absolutely imperative to the entire process and student experience. The transition for the student into academia after going through the admissions and financial aid process is key to their education, relationship with faculty and fellow students and retention.
Darrin,
Your comments are right on target. In order to interact with students and discuss the necessary requirements for financial aid it is imperative to have the trust and confidence of your students. Communication is necessary betweeen all departments within a college to insure the student experience is successful.
Thanks, Chyrl
Good communication ensures that the student understands their responsibility before starting school. Also, communication between the students and staff will help to build trust and open the lines of communication which will help to improve retention.
Andrea,
Your response is excellent. I completely agree that it is imperative to build the prospective student/Financial Aid office relationship at the earliest stage in the college process. It sounds like your initial visit with the student builds a bond that last throughout the process.
Thanks, Chyrl
