It is important to obtain reference information throughout the student's academic program to ensure that accurate information is on file.
As another poster mentioned, depending on the length of the student's program, the relationship one has with their references can change. We obtain references during admission, Entrance Counseling, orientation, as well as during Exit Counseling.
We also highly encourage students to update their contact information with us during their program.
Allison,
Taking advantage of your school’s mid-point is a great example of creating an opportunity to gather new information!
For schools that have shorter programs or do not have such milestones, verifying references during the enrollment process is even more important. If you will not have many opportunities to collect new data, making sure the initial references are valid is critical.
Cheryl Kesson
School can be a transformative time for students...they may find themselves changing who they associate with and who they would stay in contct with if they ran into difficulties. So, confirming or obtaining new refernces throughout the program will ensure you are in touch with the most up to date circle of support.
There are several places throughout our program where we update personal contact info...however, not true for references. We have a mid-point in our program. Students have a short break then come back to finsh the last half of the program. It can feel like a fresh start and this would be the perfect time to obtain new reference. I also read and like the idea of getting addresses to send Graduation announcments.
Gari,
I think getting the student's perspective after they finish school and enter repayment is a great idea--I like the thought of creating some sort of survey instrument to ask students if they feel that they had complete enough information from the school to successfully navigate the beginning of the repayment process. Their feedback certainly can help you refine your strategies for conveying student loan information.
Diana Mateer
1. Default prevention instument
2. To get feedbackfrom student's perspective after sometime for them to cool down and be rational - helps indeveloping teaching strategies, etc.
Wendy,
Getting good contact information is a challenge for us all, particularly since traditional skip tracing methods are less successful now that people are applying for less credit or have fewer solid employment contacts.
One thing some schools have tried is researching social network sites to try locating students. Of course if you reach out to a student you find in this way you want to be careful to send a generic message without any reference to the fact that they have student loans. Sometimes financial aid offices will provide a list of students they are trying to locate to the Career Services Department in case the staff there have updated home or work information for a student. A similar list might be provided to key faculty members for their input.
Diana Mateer
If you can't get information throughout one of the reference or contact, Is there any other way that you can get a hold of the students?
Kathy,
Particularly in a distance learning environment, tracking students can be a real challenge. You are correct in that early and frequent updates to contact information will increase the rapport you have with studens and make it less likely that they will "skip."
Diana Mateer
I would like to start initiating contact with students early in their program, to build rapport in order to lessen the possibility of “skippingâ€. Because we are a “distance learning†school, it is easy for our students to disappear.
Joseph,
Reference verification and a mailing to the student address can be a quick way to verify that the information provided to you is valid.
Cheryl Kesson
Diane,
Great practice for obtaining references. I like the idea of including the student update card with the mid point survey. Perfect time to ensure everything is up to date!
Cheryl Kesson
We obtain references at pre enrollment and exit interview. Student's are given a midway survey at 300 hours into the program. I will be implementing a student information update card (address, phone #'s, email) to go along with the survey.
For the same reason that other financial institutions do it...so they can get repaid!
Do background checks to make sure the information is accurate..
Solanch,
Email is a greaat tool because often even if a physical address or phone number changes the email address stays the same. You might also consider sending a brief email to each reference introducing yourself and the fact that a student has noted the reference. Of course, we have to use caution NOT to mention anywhere in our communication with references (phone, email, or mail) that the student has used the reference in connection with a student loan.
Diana Mateer
Dayanis,
We even recommend collecting more than three references if possible. Or at a minimum, make sure that the three references you do collect are verified, and that the students tell their references that they have noted their information and why. We often receive references that have not been verified as correct or that have no idea why we are contacting them, and thjerefore that reference is not helopful in locating the student.
Diana Mateer
Joshua,
Even asking faculty to collect current addresses and phone numbers on a hard-copy test, or collecting the information on a sign-in sheet at test time, is a way to use the test-taking process as a means to help you stay in touch with your students. Tests are something every student experiences, so they are good opportunities to get the information you need.
Diana Mateer
Its very important that you ask the student for references and contract information in case they chance address and phone number. Now on this days students change phone number like nothing, and sometimes we need to get in contact with them fast and we cant. That why just ask for three references that helps.
It is extremely beneficial to obtain borrower contact and reference information and to include not just one reference but several reference because one is never enough.
The way our school functions is we not only gather their phone numbers and address but their email as well.
One of the benefits of obtaining contact and reference information is that it helps the school to be up to date. I thought mailing out test results are a great way to get updated contact information.
arte,
One-on-one exits are a good goal, but even if you find it difficult to do this, you can work toward smaller group sessions, or seeting aside time for one-on-one follow-up for students who need or desire to meet individually after the group sessions. Being accessible in person is key, whether you are imparting information and answering questions in a group or with each student.
Diana Mateer
