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Table of Contents Committee Reports:
20 Questions CAFAA Board:
Words From our Friends and Sponsors Experts Suggest New Ways to Pay for College at National Symposium on
Student Loans 2006 Marks 8th Year for Financial Aid Review Program Please submit all ideas, comments, and articles to CAFAA Crier Editor, Jim Harris at james.harris@nelnet.net
Disclaimer: Wow! It just seems like yesterday that we all gathered in October for our annual conference at Copper Mountain. Since that time, however, our membership have been as active as ever. Our very first Legislative Coffee was held this March 21 at the Colorado State Capitol Building. With the proposed financial aid funding models being a very controversial topic in CCHE and the media, it was an excellent opportunity for us, as seasoned professionals who work with students daily, to give input to those who are making funding decisions. Thanks to all who were able to attend. We were absolutely delighted with the CAFAA turnout. When I counted heads about half-way through the coffee, I counted 49 CAFAA members! We had 24 who came for the brainstorming last night at Regis, and we were pleased with that number also. Whereas the weather hampered some from being able to attend, others in better areas traveled more than half way across the state to attend.
For those of you who attended we would like to get feedback on how successful you feel the event was. Did you talk to a lot of people and were they legislators or aides? Did they ask you relevant questions? Do you feel that the money that was spent on this event (approx $900) could have been used in a better way? What changes would you suggest? Should we do this event again next year? Please let me know what you think.
Again, I would like to thank the group who put this event together. Natascha Ambrose from Regis University, Evan Icolari from CU Boulder, and Eric Cronkright from CU Boulder did an awesome job for us. Please thank them next time you see them because they put many hours into planning and carrying this out!
A second exciting event that CAFAA continues to work on is College Goal Sunday, which is set for Sunday, February 11, 2007. Lydia McMillan and Karon Johnson, retired CAFAA colleagues, are our state and site coordinators. They have coordinated and met with the steering committee, are recruiting other organizations to participate, and selecting statewide sites. Colorado joins 34 other states now participating or planning to participate in 2007 in this annual event, which is focused on reaching low-income, under-represented students in our communities. Please reserve Feb 11 and plan to join us at a site near you.
Another event that CAFAA members can look forward to in the upcoming months is the Professional Development Workshop on May 17, planned by the Professional Development Committee. Last, but certainly not least, don’t forget to put Oct 18-20 on your calendar for our annual CAFAA conference and business meeting at Historic Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs. What a beautiful place to spend 3 days in the fall with CAFAA colleagues and friends!
Committee Reports Spam Cop to the Rescue? With all of the unsolicited email sailing across the cyber waves these days, more and more people and companies are looking for ways to block unwanted emails. Spam Cop is a website that lets you track spam back to its source. A letter of complaint about being spammed is then sent to the network administrator of the Internet service provider the spammer is using. While this service is very useful and provides a great service, it may prevent legitimate email from being delivered. If a person or organization does not use a service like Spam Cop, they may impose filters.
Email filters set by organizations have led to delivery problems within the association. For a period of time, emails sent from the CAFAA listserv to the members employed by the Community College System were viewed as spam. In order to remedy the problem, an individual email was sent to the system administrator at the central office requesting that the CAFAA listserv addresses be recognized as legitimate email. This is just one example. Other organizations are using filters that block CAFAA email. As I receive notice of bounced messages, I have been contacting individuals to work out the problem. If you have talked to a fellow member and they are not receiving the CAFAA listserv messages that you have been receiving, please have them contact me at tresa.england@cncc.edu.
Colorado College Goal Sunday We’re off to a great start. Members of the core steering committee met at Red Rocks Community College on March 7th to brainstorm and make final plans for the Planning Grant Application that was due on March 14th. The application was submitted in a timely fashion and we expect to hear back from NASFAA and the Lumina Foundation shortly.
CAFAA is the lead organization for College Goal Sunday in Colorado with Regis University serving as the fiscal agent. Steering committee members include: Linda Crook, CAFAA Member at Large; Tresa England, Technology; Karon Johnson, Site Coordinator; Lydia MacMillan, State Coordinator; Sherri McCullough, Budget; Judy Ransom, Outreach: Misti Ruthven, PR. Committee chairs will be forming working committees within their individual areas so we’re hoping that you’ll be excited when you get a call from one of the chairs asking you to join this wonderful enterprise. It is also our intention to expand the steering committee to include key members of related organizations such as Gear Up, TRIO, AVID, Colorado Pre-Collegiate Program, high school guidance counselors and college admissions officers, to name a few.
On Sunday, February 11, 2007, we are planning to host between eight and ten College Goal Sunday events throughout the state. Shortly, there will be an easy to spot menu item dedicated to College Goal Sunday on the CAFAA website so that you can track our progress through the planning stage.
Our committee is energized about the opportunity to bring College Goal Sunday to Colorado. We are counting on all of you to help us plan and execute our first event. Stay tuned for updates!
Save Us A Date! The CAFAA Conference Committee is busy planning the menu for “Fall into the Flavor”; a gastronomical tour of financial aid in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. There will be something on the menu to suit everyone’s taste. Stafford mousse with whipped HERA cream for dessert for those folks with a sweet tooth or an Asian style Perkins duck served with rice noodles may show up on the menu. There are so many flavors to sample; and so little time to experience.
A place has been set at our table for you. We hope that you will bring your appetite for learning and sharing and join us October 18-20, 2006 to experience the many creative flavors of CAFAA
Ps. Keep an eye open for future specials from the fine chefs of the CAFAA Conference Committee.
Hard at Work! The CAFAA PDC has been working hard already this year to plan the Support Staff Workshop (Survivor: S. S. Island) on April 11 and the CAFAA Spring Training on May 17. The committee is made up of 2 returning members and 9 new members! It is very exciting to hear new ideas for these workshops.
We are also planning on supporting 1 or 2 sessions in the fall at the CAFAA Annual Conference so please start thinking of ideas you would like to see on the agenda.
Here is some more information about our upcoming -
CAFAA SPRING TRAINING May 17, 2006 Location: RMCAD (Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design)
20 Questions CAFAA Board Judy Ransom
Are You Ready for RMASFAA Summer Institute? Howdy folks! My name is Brenda Hicks and I am a little uncomfortable in the spotlight. In fact, people usually find me at the edge of rooms, not in the middle. BUT, like those lucky folks before me, I’ll attempt to give you a little information about myself.
For the past four years, I have been serving as the Director of Financial Aid at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. I backed into this position via the Southwestern Office of Admission where I spent another 11 years as Counselor, Assistant Director and then Director of Admission. I like to tell people that I dated financial aid for 11 years and then decided to go ahead and marry it.
The most interesting thing is that I think that I am one of the few folks in this profession who hates math. My undergraduate degree is in English with a creative writing emphasis from Kansas State University. My graduate degree is in organizational communication from Wichita State University. I avoided math like the plague in college, preferring instead to focus on classes that studied philosophy, linguistics and literature.
However, it was college where my fascination with financial aid began. I credit a healthy loan and work study funds for getting me where I am today. As the daughter of a hog farmer from southeast Kansas, funds were limited. My parental financial support consisted of four cattle that supplied calves and income on an annual basis. My student loans and my job at the KSU meat lab supplied the rest.
When I’m not working, I spend time with my husband Ross and two sons – Samuel and Isaac. As a family, we enjoy reading, the outdoors and playing X-Box.
I am PUMPED to be on the committee for Summer Institute. I first attended SI when I started in financial aid and taught on the faculty last year. It is a terrific experience and one of the finest training events in which I have participated. I am just one of many fantastic volunteers that work very hard to put this program together. If you haven’t been, go. If you have, go again! J See you for Silver in Golden in June!
To learn more about RMASFAA Summer Institute visit www.rmasfaa.org
New Financial Aid Director at University of Denver
By Tom Willouby, Vice Chancellor of Enrollment
Submitted by Maria Castro, Asst. Director of Financial Aid
It is my pleasure to announce that Barbara Mc Fall has accepted the Financial Aid Director position at DU and begins her new duties effective immediately. I’m very anxious for Barbara to continue the leadership she has provided during her tenure as the Interim Director of Financial Aid since mid-October.
Barbara has been at the University of Denver since 2003 serving as the Bursar with the responsibility of leading the Bursar’s Office with student billings, cash management, accounts receivable, advising, debt management and loans.
Prior to joining DU she was Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Administration and Project Manager for Information Technology Services at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Before joining CU Boulder she was the Associate Staff Director to the Advisory Committee on Financial Assistance in Washington, D.C. where she was an expert resource to Congress and the Department of Education on federal financial assistance policy, programs and system infrastructure.
Join me in congratulating Barbara McFall and wishing her the best with her new responsibilities.
News from CSU
Submitted by Eileen Griego
Retirements at Colorado State
Cheryl Hesser - After 29 years of dedicated service to Colorado State, Cheryl has decided to retire at the end of January. She will not be taking a back seat however, she will be more involved in caring for her garden, painting, beading and scrapbooking. She also plans on having her dogs (Daphne and Tank) trained to assist in nursing homes.
Peggy Meis – After 22 years of devoted service to Colorado State, Peggy has also decided to retire at the end of January. She is taking a gardening class and plans to spend lots of time with family and friends. Peggy hasn’t wasted any time as she has recently made a trip to Baton Rouge to visit friends.
New Hires at Colorado State
Colorado State University is excited to add three new additions to Student Financial Services:
Mary Mencin – Came to us from the CSU Social Work Department. She began working in Student Employment on November 1. Mary enjoys oil painting.
Kathy Krell – has been with CSU for the past 7 years before joining our team on February 10 as a Data Specialist in Scholarships. Her hobbies include cross stitch and reading. And just for fun, she is working on a 2nd BA degree in Journalism!
Cindy Heckle – worked at the Health District of Northern Larimer County before joining us on March 1 as a Data Specialist in the COD area. Cindy likes to read, do puzzles and enjoys watching the history channel.
New Baby at Colorado State
Lacey McFall Foster gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Asa James Foster, born on March 10, weighting in at 7lbs. Malia age 3 ½ welcomes the arrival of her new baby brother.
Big Baby at Colorado State
James Broscheit – thinks he’s been with CSU long enough to warrant him an office with windows. Word is, he’s resorted to whining to get an office with a view. Stay tuned as he awaits the arrival of his new office.
Update on Eileen Griego
Provided by James Broscheit
Eileen’s driver’s license has been renewed, finally. In the FAll 2005 Crier, it was noted that Eileen Griego had been driving and endangering lives with an expired license. Not that the public is any safer, but to be fair, the license is no longer expired. It was just recently renewed. It was only last February when the news came out that it was expired and who knows how long it had been expired at that time. Reports are that she celebrates birthdays in July so it is reasonable to think that she willfully and knowingly continued to drive for quite some time. Knowing that this disregard for rules exists, it has been suggested that she complete a FAFSA in order to assess other data base match issues. Words from our Friends and Sponsors
At a symposium late last year Washington, DC, Advancing America's Competitiveness: The Role of Student Loans, leading researchers and policy experts introduced several innovative proposals in response to rising student debt levels in the U.S.
Co-sponsored by the Project on Student Debt and the American Enterprise Institute, the event brought together experts on student loans programs and trends, tax and budget policies, college access, and the role of debt in young people's lives.
They addressed three provocative questions:
1) Are college students borrowing too much, or not enough?
2) Can the federal investment in student loans accomplish more? 3) Are there tax solutions to the high cost of borrowing? Panelists offered several proposals for redesigning federal student loan and tax provisions to maximize educational opportunity.
These include:
2006 Marks 8th Year for Financial Aid Review Program Trends and best practices uncovered.
Washington, D.C. (February 16, 2006) – Since 1999, NASFAA’s Standards of Excellence (SOE) Review Program has helped member institutions across the country work towards the highest standards in the administration of student financial aid. While it took a few years for the concept of a “voluntary review” program to catch on with institutions, SOE has found its place in the financial aid arena with an increasing number of institutions requesting a review each year.
“It was great to get affirmation of the things we are doing well and also to learn ideas to help us become even better,” stated Jim White of Seattle University whose institution was reviewed in 2005. SOE Reviews have been conducted at many types of institutions including 2-year public and private, 4-year public and private, and through a unique partnership with the United Negro College Fund, several private Historically Black College and Universities.
All aspects of aid administration are examined during an SOE Review including: student service and satisfaction; program compliance, operations, and delivery; systems automation and technology utilization; and human resources and facilities. “The SOE review is one of the best ‘peer-study’ evaluations an institution can invest in. It is comprehensive, non-threatening and confidential. This is a grand opportunity to discover best practices as well as provide solid recommendations for improvements and compliance concerns that may need campus support to resolve,” states Lois Kelly, SOE peer reviewer and Director of Financial at California Polytechnic State University. There are currently 58 peer reviewers in the SOE program. From this pool, the program coordinator hand-selects individuals with specific institutional experience and qualifications to be part of the institution’s peer review team. Trends and Best Practices Uncovered
While the results of SOE Reviews are confidential, several recent trends have been uncovered:
Institutional Strengths: Surprisingly, the number one compliance issue five years ago – the lack of written policies and procedures – has reversed and now emerges as the number one strength for 2005. Many institutions have developed written policies and procedures that they review and update on a regular basis. The manuals go beyond the areas required by Title IV regulations to include all aspects of Title IV program administration, customer service, technology, and office policies and procedures. In addition, institutions now provide students access to their award information via the internet providing better and timelier customer services to aid recipients.
Common Recommendations: The recommendations made most frequently by peer reviewers fall under the category of administrative capability. Training, organizational structure, staffing, and facilities have been identified as areas that often need attention across all types of institutions. In particular, financial aid training is needed in all aspects of Title IV program administration as well as financial aid systems software usage and functionality. There also continues to be a need to dedicate staff to financial aid systems support. If these areas of program administration are left unaddressed, the compliance risk at the institution will continue to increase.
Compliance Issues: Consumer information provided by the institutions, in many cases, was difficult to read and understand and often did not meet the minimum regulatory requirements for providing annual notices and disclosures, institutional information, and financial assistance information. Failure to provide proper cash management disbursement notifications and improper disposition of stale-dated financial aid checks were also areas where schools were noncompliant. A number of processing errors were identified in the areas of application processing and file review. When viewed individually the errors appeared insignificant; however, when viewed in the aggregate, the errors were symptomatic of administrative capability issues related to training, staffing, and organization structure.
How Does the Standards of Excellence Review Program Work?
For more information, visit www.NASFAA.org/SOE.asp or contact Susan Luhman, program coordinator at 202-785-0453 Ext. 147 or excellence@nasfaa.org.
History of the Standards of Excellence Review Program
The Standards of Excellence Review Program grew out of recommendations from the NASFAA Task Force on Institutional Leadership co-chaired by John T. Casteen III, president of the University of Virginia, and Rhonda D. Norsetter, special assistant to the chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In its report, the task force noted that “student financial aid is a matter of urgent concern to institutions, policy makers, and to the nation,” and that “colleges and universities face serious challenges in this area.”
In a letter to college presidents about the review program, Dr. Casteen warned that “poorly managed financial aid programs can hamper enrollment efforts, cause rifts among campus offices, expose the institution to significant financial liability, and sabotage efforts to serve students and their families.” But, he continues, “Financial aid programs that are integrated into institutional planning and soundly managed can help advance institutional goals.”
Copies of A Report to the Leadership of America’s Colleges and Universities: Meeting the Challenges of Financial Aid are available from NASFAA’s Publication Desk, 202-785-0453 Ext. 5 or pubs@nasfaa.org.
The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is a nonprofit membership organization that represents more than 10,000 financial aid professionals at nearly 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. Based in Washington, D.C., NASFAA is the only national association with a primary focus on student aid legislation, regulatory analysis, and training for financial aid administrators. Each year, members help more than 8 million students receive funding for postsecondary education. In addition to its member Web site at www.NASFAA.org, the Association offers a Web site with financial aid information for parents and students at www.StudentAid.org.
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