Exit Interviews
I feel that exit interviews are extremely important, but yet it is rarely possible to set up with student's that withdraw from school. How would you suggest setting up exit interviews for withdrawn students?
EMMA,
All institutions should have a clearly defined policy and procedure on how to handle exit counseling when a student fails to official withdraw or come in for an exit interview. The how you handle this is a very personal decision for each institution. If you prefer using certified mail then your P&P should address this and you must make sure your retain the documetation to prove this action occurred. Sending certified is not required; however, this is a very personal decision that should be made by each individual institution.
Sincerely, Chyrl
Chyrl Ayers
I agree that even though it is not required to send the documents via certified mail to a student that does not attend the exit interview that it should be done. Proper documentation is a must so the information is clear in case of an audit.
Ori,
Great ideas - it is important to use "outside the box" techniques to contact your students. The Exit Interview is closure to the overall process of Financial Aid and necessary for the student to understand his/her responsibilities and rights under the TIV programs.
Sincerely, Chyrl
Chyrl Ayers
It is often true that students who are withdrawing for school are not easy to contact or schedule for an exit interview. Many times there are external factors that have caused them to leave school, which also have caused them to not properly communicate with the institution. Due to these reasons, a financial aid officer has to get creative while setting up these exit interviews.
The first technique we utilize is placing phone calls to the student's emergency contact's phone numbers that were included in his or her application for admission. Secondarily, we use the student's email address of record and cell phone of record to email and text message the student's regarding the scheduling of this exit interview. The final technique that we use is simple persistence. Although students may ignore 5 phone calls, they may not ignore the 6th. Keep reaching out and eventually it will work.
Lovevonia,
I appreciate your feedback and it is good to knwot the information was helpful to you. Every year when we revisit these modules and provide updates we try to ensure that the information is relevent and useful to the participants. Your consideration in this area is needed and will be useful going forward.
I hope your experience in continuing your financial aid knowledge online is beneficial.
Sincerely, Chyrl
Chyrl Ayers
This was very good information about exit Interview. Reinstate to student about loans that they take out, help them to know that the loan will soon beginning to start to repayment back and the options they have.
This is our experience as well. We send packets and always encourage students to come in to complete the exit interview when they withdraw, just so we can answer questions, etc. This rarely happens.
Tish,
Great plan of attack. Anytime you can discuss the student's rights and responsibilities on loan indebtedness it is good practice. You want the student to understand the ramification of withdrawing and how this impacts their financial aid.
Sincerely, Chyrl
Chyrl Ayers
The exit interview is very important, it is another chance to bring student awareness to the students. We try to meet with every drop student and have them complete it on line while in our office. We also have the grads do it as part of grad check out.
Yusimi ,
Providing a student with a recap of their rights and responsibilities and other pertinent information on their loan history is critical. Do you schedule exit counseling sessions to ensure all students understand? How do you communicate with those students that leave school without notice?
Sincerely, Chyrl
Chyrl Ayers
Exit Interview is very Important for withdraw students
Maria,
These are all good suggestions. Having accurate information is important throughout the lifetime of the student. You never know when it will be necessary to reach the student.
Sincerely, Chyrl
Chyrl Ayers
Is very important to keep the database updated with current student information including emails and phone numbers in case at some point ceases to attend college in order to send the exit interview by mail, email or make any telephone contact.
Bernadette,
It can be difficult making contact with students when the withdraw without official notification. The ones that make you are aware of their intent to withdraw allow you the opportunity to discuss the decision and its impact on their financial aid and education. The most important process is to make atempts to provide the information and have a documented standard operating procedures.
Sincerely,
Chyrl Ayers
I agree it is always heard to contact that student again, but we can only do so much to reach out and has long as we keep doing are steps in making sure they do get some sort of information then we did are jobs right. It can also help if you have a loan adviser also contacting drops, withdraw and graduate students just to touch base.
Alexander ,
Great idea. Are you currently doing this process at your campus? If the student fails to come to the link what is your secondary course of action?
Sincerely,
Chyrl Ayers
Indeed it may seem a bit tenacious to get the Drop student to complete the EXIT. However, there are various methods that can be implemented to ensure the timely completion of the EXIT.
1. The traditional mailing out of the documents
2. Email w/ links directing the student towards the EXIT Counseling site
3. Face to Face Interview
4. Even taking measures to visit the student in person to ensure that they attain the necessary documents to be successful in paying back their student loans.
Each school should have a system in place that will automatically send exit information to student the day they reach withdrawn status. This link would go to student and the school would recieve notificaiton once completed, or the student would contact the school for help.
Veronica, Good suggestion. It is imperative that your students receive their Exit Counseling so that they understand their rights and responsibilities under the federal loan programs.
Regards,
David McGuffee
