Closing the Information Gap between Advising and Financial Aid/TOPS March 4, 2013 Cindy Perez, Director Financial Aid Bette Harris, Director Academic Success Center

Students Academic Advising Other Financial Aid & TOPS Retention Progression Graduation

UL Lafayette Retention Rate 2nd year – 74% 3rd year – 61% 4th year – 56% Graduate in 4 years -15% Graduate in 5 years – 36% Graduate in 6 years – 44%

UL Lafayette Latest TOPS Continuation Rates FTF with TOPS – 65% 2nd year with TOPS – 65% 3rd year with TOPS – 50% 4th year with TOPS – 46% Grad in 4 years with TOPS – 17%

What should advisors know about Financial Aid (FA)? Passing grades are required Academic progress affects availability Max number of credit hours Received for courses required in major

What should advisors know about Financial Aid (cont.)? Part-time students receive reduced award Is limited  Pell - 12 semesters  Loans – Aggregate loan limit is $31,000  TOPS – 8 semesters

FA Requires Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Undergraduate SAP  2.0 GPA  Complete 67% of enrolled classes  Take courses required in major  Max time – 180 hours

SAP-Warning/Probation  Good standing  Met SAP & is eligible for aid the next semester  Warning  Fails to make SAP  Can receive FA while on warning  Probation  Failed SAP, but was approved FA appeal  Eligible for FA one semester with specific requirements

SAP Appeal Process  Must be enrolled to appeal  Reasons – death, illness or injury, military service, etc.  Documentation – death certificate, physician’s statement, military orders, etc.  Must student statement with their Academic Plan

Earning Financial Aid Back Greater than 180: Can not earn FA back Less than 180: Pay for at least half time and earn a 2.00 GPA with 67% completion I’m going to get it back!

Access websites  -- Informationwww.studentaid.ed.gov  -- Applicationwww.fafsa.ed.gov  -- TOPSwww.osfa.la.gov  -- Federal Loans  -- Retrieve Tax Transcript  -- Information

TOPS Opportunity Award $1,963 per semester $3,926 per year $15,704 over 4 years

TOPS Requirements  Cont full-time enrollment (14 th class day)  Min 2.0 cumulative GPA to receive TOPS in spring semester  24 credits per academic year  Aug–July (includes intersession & summer)  Opportunity Award – Min 2.3 GPA 1st year, 2.5 every other year  Performance & Honors Awards – Min 3.0 GPA

Problem Areas for Students  Inability to differentiate between academic status & FA status  Not progressing in major  1,700 students with 45+ hours and not in Upper Division  325 with 90+ hours and not in Upper Division

Discussions between Advisors and Students  Drops & resignations  Repeat courses  Transfer credits  Incompletes  Major changes Where do I start?

Advising Sessions  Academic performance  Scheduling/sequencing of courses  Program requirements & progression  Advising students out of major if necessary  Refer to Career Center, Learning Center, Writing Center, etc.

Any Questions?

Test To receive Advisor Training credit (for advising awards) please right click here and select “Open Hyperlink”. After completion, save the file as your name; then attach the file in an to or print and send your answers through campus mail to Kimberly Benoit c/o Academic Success CenterOpen Hyperlink