1. The Communication Pipeline: Reaching Students with Your FA Message
Crystal Smith
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

2. NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016
Session Objectives
Will be focusing on “Where” and “How”
Discuss tools and resources that can be used effectively to get financial aid-related information out to students
Roundtable discussion to share what works at your campus
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

3. NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016
Does Still Work?
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

4. Student Survey Results on Email
“Too cluttered/Too many unwanted s” (even college-related s)
Average of THREE accounts merged into one (personal, work, and school)
“Don’t have time to read”
Only six minutes/day spent on reading
“I have a school address?” 
“Just don’t check ”
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

5. Communication Survey Results
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

6. Text Messages Using Remind!
Office uses web portal to send/receive messages
Students choose to sign-up or not and choose how to receive/send messages (cell number, app, or web)
Cell numbers remain private
Real-time messaging
Can send messages to a group or individual students
Can schedule announcements ahead of time
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

7. Text Messages Using Remind!
One-way conversations= push announcements
Two-way conversations= students can text back as part of a conversation with you
Can see who is reading messages
Students can unsubscribe at any time
It’s FREE
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

8. NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016
Social Media
Use video content to attract viewers
Federal Student Aid YouTube videos can be found at
Or create your own!
Post reminders about important dates/financial aid deadlines
Use instant chat features
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

9. NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016
Social Media
Announce scholarships
Connect to the larger campus community by announcing student activities/campus events
Hold contest/drawing for prizes
Post fun, non-financial aid related content
Post pictures of FA Staff to create connection with students
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

10. NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016
Student Newsletter
Can be digital or printed
Collaborate with other departments or make exclusively for financial aid
Text a link for digital version
Hang single-page newsletters on bathroom stall doors, bulletin boards, elevators
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

11. NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016
Student Newsletter
Take out an ad in multi-page campus “student newspaper”
Write a “Dear Abby” column for financial aid
Mail Chimp (
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

12. Flyers, Posters & Signage
Place flyers or posters where students congregate (dorms, dining hall, student center, canteen, bathrooms, stairwells)
Use yard signs or “Burma Shave-style” signs in high traffic areas (bus station, sports fields, busy crosswalk intersections, bridges)
Infographics
Slide show announcements on TV screen in FA Office or locations across campus
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

13. Burma Shave-Style Signage Example
FAFSA.GOV
YOUR FAFSA!
TO SUBMIT
IT’S TIME
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

14. NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016
Infographic Example
“FA refunds come out Sept. 29. How will YOU spend your refund?”
Poll students ahead of time on social media and create infographic showing results.
“$22,000 in scholarship money went unclaimed last year! Applications are due by March 30!”
Create an infographic of dollar signs with random ones missing to represent the “unclaimed scholarship
funds”.
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

15. Office Voicemail Message
Take advantage of low hanging fruit!
What common questions can be answered?
When is the deadline to apply?
What’s my status?
When can I buy books?
When will refunds go out?
What is your fax number?
When are your office hours?
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

16. NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016
Tips for Websites
Make navigation easy on website
Keep it uncluttered
Use videos
Integrate useful links
Use images with simple text
Try not to use “financial aid speak”
Usually first place prospective students go for information
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

17. NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016
Tips for
Subject lines! Students may decide whether or not to open the based on the subject line
Keep it uncluttered
If possible, use media rich content
Integrate useful links
Try not to use “financial aid speak”
Include links to social media outlets
Include info on how to sign-up for text messages
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

18. NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016
Additional Ideas:
org/hillel/board/marketing.htm
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

19. What works on your campus?
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

20. What Are Your Students Saying?
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

21. NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016
Resources
Bell, Steven. (2016). ? Texts? Still searching for the electronic path to students. students-from-the-bell-tower/
Hames, Matt. (2015). It is our fault that college students hate . college-students-hate- -matt-hames
Infosthetics. (2014). Visualising Mill Road: Informing communities by infographics in the street. he_street.html
Straumsheim, Carl. (2016). Read and unread. explores-impact-social-media-texting- -use
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016

22. NCASFAA would like to thank our professional affiliates!
NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 13-16, 2016