Packaging Potholes: Paving a Smoother Way

Panelists Moderator: Vicki Mattocks Director Missouri State University Panelists:Jan Brandow Director University of Missouri-Kansas City Jeff Ford Director Ozarks Technical Community College Cari Wickliffe Director St. Louis University

Session Objectives Presentation of basic packaging philosophies Private School Community College Four Year Public Institution Discussion of post-packaging issues

Packaging Philosophy - OTC Provide optimum aid for greatest number of students without exceeding COA Provide maximum non-repayable aid before packaging student loans Utilize all available federal, state and institutional aid –i.e.… use your allocations and budgeted monies, that is what they are for

Packaging Aid – OTC Summary Start process late February/early March Package Federal Pell Grant and FWS based on ISIR information Include student loans if requested by student Package SEOG for files completed by April 1

Packaging Aid – OTC – Cont’d When scholarship awards (new and renewal) completed in June, include in packages (post adjust if necessary) Include state aid awards as soon as available information allows (post adjust later)

SEOG Awards - OTC Neediest students first Distribute available funds to maximum population Use priority deadline as point to identify group Start with zero EFC group and review with available funds Adjust the awards and spectrum to best suit your population

SEOG Cont’d - OTC Review unused funds in spring to reallocate funds to utilize authorization Attention to revised awards will eliminate overawards

SEOG & FWSP - OTC SEOG is awarded on priority deadline and high need (based on EFC) FWSP is awarded –If requested on ISIR –If need exists sufficient to warrant award

SAP and Packaging - OTC System checks SAP when running packaging routine If student ineligible, letter is generated to let student know of ineligible status and why Information included in letter informs student of policies and appropriate appeal procedures

3 rd Party and External Awards -OTC When authorization or notification of award received, award is added to aid package If overaward exists, appropriate action is taken to alleviate overaward –Reduce/cancel FWS –Reduce/cancel loans –Reduce/cancel other awards

Packaging Philosophy – Saint Louis University Organizational Structure Funding Levels Cost of Attendance Equity packages Timing of Awards Pre-or post Verification (Quality Assurance)

Packaging Philosophy – UMKC Setting a best priority deadline Equitable use of campus-based programs between incoming and continuing students Well thought out distribution plan for awarding campus-based aid Packing consideration of “known” funding resources from previous year – internal and external

Packaging Philosophy – UMKC Timing - Including state aid programs in packages Equitably awarding mid-year admits

Post-Packaging Issues Receiving external awards after packaging is complete and aid is disbursed Receiving internal awards after packaging is complete and aid is disbursed Communication with students, external and internal groups Regulatory requirements

Post Packaging Issues - OTC Overaward may be found by: –Run reports during the award year to identify potential overawards –Overaward discovered when adding additional awards later in award year

Post Packaging - OTC Correct overaward by: –Adjusting or correcting appropriate award(s) i.e.… FT awards for packaging purposes may later be adjusted to lessen or eliminate overaward –Using available rules to best help student Document what was done for later review if needed

Communication - OTC Students whose aid is adjusted are sent updated award notification –This is occasionally sufficient by itself –May include letter or even call student in advance; schedule appt for discussion

Post-Packaging Issues Saint Louis University Yield Rate Drops Decentralized SLU Awards (and Endowed Scholarships) Outside aid Verification Findings

Post-Packaging Issues - UMKC Outside committee awards a university held fund for student academic projects and demands that it not be counted as part of the students’ packages Academic unit wants students to receive a scholarship for working 20 hours a week and wants the scholarship paid monthly

Questions or Items for Discussion