1. 1 Promoting FAFSA MASFAP Fall 2008 Presenter: Jaime Newcomb Missouri Baptist University

2. 2 Quick Facts About MBU Missouri Baptist University is an evangelical Christian, liberal arts institution and has as its purpose the offering of programs of study leading to professional certificates, undergraduate degrees, and graduate degrees in an environment where academic excellence is emphasized and a Biblically based Christian perspective is maintained. 83% of MBU’s undergraduate students are Missouri Residents (based on 2007-2008 FAFSA data) 7% of MBU undergraduate students are majoring in Theology (based on FA-07 enrollment) MBU’s published financial aid deadline is October 1 st.

3. 3 ACCESS Missouri Grant This program provides need-based grants. To be eligible, a student must: Have a FAFSA on file by April 1 with an EFC of $12,000 or less. Any FAFSA corrections must be made no later than July 31 st. Be enrolled full time at a participating Missouri postsecondary school. Maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Not be pursuing a degree in theology or divinity. Access Missouri Financial Assistance Award Amounts Public 2-year Schools Public 4-year Schools Private Schools Maximum: $1,000 Minimum: $300 Maximum: $2,150 Minimum: $1,000 Maximum: $4,600 Minimum: $2,000 *Information obtained from MDHE’s “The Source” brochure

4. 4 Promoting FAFSA With any type of change, need to collaborate with other offices. Public Relations Academic Advisors Admissions Athletic Coaches I.T. Students

5. 5 Promoting FAFSA Get key players involved. Analyze what you have been doing in the past and why it hasn’t worked. Explain the benefit for your office. Explain what it will do for other offices and the university as a whole. Explain how it will affect your students. Get everyone involved including your students! Be creative and have fun.

6. 6 MBU Enrollment Numbers

7. 7 Completed FAFSA’s by April 1st

8. 8 Promoting FAFSA 04-05 to 05-06: 11.4% increase 05-06 to 06-07: 7.3% increase 06-07 to 07-08: 26.2% increase 07-08 to 08-09: 63.8% increase!!! *Minimal increase due to enrollment

9. 9 MBU FAFSA Promotion Financial Aid Month – February Banners around campus Yard Signs on campus and extension sites Mailings E-mails News Video Brochures FAFSA countdown on MBU Website “Got FAFSA?” T-Shirts

10. 10 Promoting FAFSA This is our poster child who is well known on our campus and missed out on the ACCESS grant. He was such a good sport, he did a photo shoot. This was sent to students in their billing statement. *NOTE: He failed to complete his FAFSA AGAIN by April 1, 2008. (some never learn!)

11. 11 Promoting FAFSA Countdown Timer used on the MBU website. Countdown to April 1!

12. 12 Promoting FAFSA Yard signs and Banners were placed around the campus and at all MBU extension sites.

13. 13 Promoting FAFSA The Financial Services Office, Admissions Office and student workers wore “Got FAFSA?” T-shirts to Chapel and on Fridays during Financial Aid Month.

14. 14 Promoting FAFSA What will MBU do for 2009-2010? Student Computer Desktop Wallpaper and Screensaver Phone calls to students Use of Blackboard Student Handbook Use as recruiting tool Push Enrollment at the same time

15. 15 Promoting FAFSA What did we learn? Change IS possible! Processing time Packaging When one thing changes, other things have to be reevaluated. Scholarships for Religion, Non-Missouri Residents Reevaluate Deadlines

16. 16 Promoting FAFSA Learn From Each Other! What have other schools done? What are some ideas? Who do you need to talk to in order to make it happen?

17. 17 Promoting FAFSA FREE Tools!!! Five Minute FAFSA video (Hilarious) www.fastweb.com FAFSA Banner for websites http://ifap.ed.gov/fafsa/doc0013_bodyoftext.html FAFSA Posters, Brochures, Bookmarks http://www.fsapubs.org/ College Goal Sunday www.collegegoalsunday.org Countdown Counters

18. 18 Promoting FAFSA BE PREPARED!!!!! Becoming more efficient will bring out your inefficiencies!!!

19. 19 Questions? MISSOURI BAPTIST UNIVERSITY Jaime Newcomb (314) 392-2398 newcoj@mobap.edu