In today's age email seems to be a great way of keeping in touch with students. We are seeing more schools using text messaging and social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace to keep in contact as well. When the traditional methods are not getting a response using an alternative resource may get you what you need.
Thanks Debbie.
We also have a system where everyone can see what phone calls, emails, letters, etc. have been sent to students. I, however, am the only one looking at the accounts for these borrowers who are past due as they, generally, are not students at our school any more. They have either graduated, withdrawn or transferred to another school.
I am trying to figure out how to better involve faculty, who have the most frequent contact with students while they are attending our school, in the process of default prevention. I like the ideas of having important things that students want, like test results and grades, mailed to them. I remember when I was in school, my professors used email as the primary tool for distributing syllabi and giving us assignments. I did not have a computer at the time. I had to go to the library, but I did frequently check my email. So, that could be another way of getting contact information.
We have implemented a system that allows everyone from admissions to our faculty access to important information on each of our students. For example: all phone calls, emails and letters that have been sent to a student plus all updates to their information. Many times when a student is delinquent I have sent out numerous letters, placed calls, or sent emails and in our system this information can be seen by everyone. I receive many calls from other departments with information and through this technique have prevented many defaulted loans.
However, we need more communication tools to help our students take responsibility and ownership of their loans such as, posters and brochures in our lobbies, admissions, class rooms, and break rooms. The orgnized notebook is another instrument to better assist our students control their future student loan debt.
I recently had a meeting with our admissions trainer in which I outlined some ways that we could work together to lower defaults while increasing admissions. One thing we agreed on was that when a potential student with an already defaulted loan contacts admissions, they will refer the person to me so I can assist and advise them with respect to loan rehabilitation and regaining eligibility for financial aid. I can also counsel them on how to avoid delinquency on any future student loans they may take while building a supportive, friendly relationship with the person. This way, they are more likely to rehabilitate the loan, regain eligibility, become a student at our school, and successfully manage future loan repayment thereby avoiding default.
Since folks who withdraw early from school are more likely to default, I am currently trying to think of a ways to get faculty more involved in student retention. Any ideas as to how to approach that?
Great work having the teachers involved! The relationships they build with the students can be a great source of information for finding contact information should they become delinquent.
Admissions at our campus's do not feel the need to participate. However, by having them collect the references instead of financial aid sounds like a wonderful idea. Posters throughout the school instead of just in financial aid is also a great idea. Our faculty are involved in contacting delinquent students. Each program director shares the list of delinquent students with individual teachers to find the student. Adding address changes to each course would help in this area.
Collecting updated information on a regular basis is a great habit to get into. Having the ability to update info online simplifies it for the students.
Posters and brochures throughout the school are an excellent idea. "Out of sight, out of mind" so keeping positive information prominently available reminds students of their obligations.
I agree that Admissions is the best departement for extracting good references, however, by the time they finish their program most information has changed. I'm going to start going into the classroom once a term and have the students update their information online if need be. I'm also going to put up more information brochures and posters throughout the school. I think if they are all over, the student loans seem less "scary."
Continally obtaining new student info throughout the enrollment process is critical. Should the student drop and never return for the exit interview you will already have collected key information throughout their time at the school.
This is a great example of getting all departments involved for successful default prevention. Great team effort!
Our FA dept. of course discusses repayment of the Federal Loan. The Admissions Director will discuss paying back the loan owed to the school which helps the student set up a pattern of paying back. We work with placement so our students find employment after completing our course, students will be making a better income so they have the money to pay back their loan. Our Registrar also will help by mentioning repayment and then myself the Default manager will briefly touch on the subject at orientation, introducing myself and what my job is and how it will help them. I then will see them half way through our course at their exit interview which I do in a group and one on one. Meeting each student individually helps create rapport and I make sure they feel comfortable and know that they can call me anytime that I'm here to help them. I think putting up signs about default around the school and doing reference checks are two great ideas that I will bring to management.
Our faculty currently are not involved in the process. I plan to involve them by asking that they collect updated student contact info at various intervals in our program. Admissions currently contributes by collecting 3 references during the application process, i plan to request that they more and specify the references be at different addresses.
Having change of address cards in breakrooms, classrooms, etc. is also a helpful reminder for students to keep their records updated.
Personal involvement with the students from all members of the faculty is important. Keeping the student motivated and making them feel important aids in retention and the ultimate sucess of the student in school and for their future!
Great idea,handing out address cards at the end of each term. Our school will be doing this at the end of our terms.
Our faculty informs the registrar's office if they have a student having attendance difficulties or may be close to being put on academic probation. The senior class instructors remind students if they have loans or financial obligations they must be paid.
The admissions office calls students with attendance issues.
Great job on having the faculty involved!
The borrower may feel more at ease with their instructors and advisors that they see on a regular basis. Also if this is percieved to be part of the education process rather than something to do with student loans the borrower may be more apt to provide better information.
Our faculty helps contribute to default prevention by requiring students to complete reference information during the start of all classes. This information is provided to the records department so the system can be updated regularly. I would love it if every department made it a point to question and update this information upon each contact they have with students.
Kristin,
I appreciate your comments on getting staff and faculty involved. The dedication and sincere interest displayed by you and your organization is an excellent example of the correct attitude toward default prevention. We can all clearly see how students would respond more favorably to a staff that is familiar to them and engaged.
Thank you for setting a great example!
Our faculty and admissions office contribute be caring. I have found over the last few years that with our faculty and admissions being involved in student activities and forcing themselves to mingle and network with students on a daily basis it has made the students feel as though we care. In turn, this has made students care for our school and accept the responsibility of their loans. It has been very hard work to get to this point, and we are constantly trying to be better. With the help from faculty and admissions we have gotten only to a certain point, but reading this first module I have already noticed ways we can be better.
Since we do have a alumni database, I'm going to have faculty update us with contact information when they are informed of updates. Admissions already does this. I will start displaying posters in our education center and in my office since we now have bulletin boards for these purposes.
