![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Return to FAA/Educators |
Tips for New Financial Aid Administrators
This file is a compilation of hints for new Financial Aid Administrators, based on messages sent to FINAID-L. Some of the information will also be of interest to new guidance counselors. Portions of this file were written by Cheryl Dedrickson of UNLV and Deborah Pratt of the University of Iowa.
1. The Educational Testing Service published "A Counseling Primer for
Financial Aid Professionals" in 1991 for $9.95. For more information,
write to
The Table of Contents includes headings such as:
A Definition of Counseling
2. The Financial Aid Transcript and the Journal of Student Financial
Aid have had articles pertaining to counseling issues for financial
aid professionals. For basic counseling skills, check the textbooks
for entry level counseling courses. Watch for opportunities on campus for
training, such as workshops on dealing with angry students.
3. The most important thing is to learn to listen carefully.
When it comes to money issues, people can become irrational,
angry and frustrated. If you give them some time to blow off steam they
can then begin to hear what you have to say.
4. Know your school's process as well as financial aid regulations.
Never promise something you can't deliver. Students would
rather know the truth than be told something will happen
"tomorrow" when the staff person involved knew it would
never happen that way.
5. If you're researching a problem for a student, keep in
touch even if you haven't found the answer yet. Keep your
appointments and return phone calls as promised. Students
generally have very tight schedules.
6. Know about alternative types of financial resources. Also,
know what student services are available on campus and refer
your students. Often, students need assistance because of a
personal problem or crisis.
7. Be realistic and realize that you can't help everybody. Know
that you will be frustrated by those students who apply late
and expect somebody to "fix" everything for them. Whether
you do or not will be dictated by your department's
policies and resources. If you work with late applicants,
seize that as an opportunity to educate the student about
how and when to apply; explain "why" meeting deadlines is
important and beneficial to them. Hopefully, you will teach
them skills that will be useful later in life.
8. At times, you will find yourself hampered and bogged down in
regulations. And, unless you work in a financial aid office
different than most, you'll be frustrated by the lack of
time and staff. You'll wonder if any student ever
appreciates what you/we do for them. Then, one day, you'll
get a thank you card or a graduating student will stop by to
say "thanks" which will help bring you back to the reason
why you choose to continue in this field.
9. The NASFAA encyclopedia is an invaluable resource for deciding
bureaucratic issues.
|
Home | Loans | Scholarships | Savings | Military Aid | Other Types of Aid | Financial Aid Applications Answering Your Questions | Calculators | Beyond Financial Aid | Site Map | About FinAid® |
Copyright © 2019 by FinAid Page, LLC. All rights reserved. Mark Kantrowitz, Founder www.FinAid.org |