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Introduction
The purpose of this service is to assist students in financing
their education through administering federal and state grant, loan,
and work-study programs. In many cases, the service awards institutional
scholarships and other forms of assistance, as well. Some institutions
also provide financial counseling.
History of Providing Service to Distance
Students
For a number of reasons student aid has not been routinely available
to students studying at a distance. In part, this was because most
of the students were part-time and adults and assumed not to be
eligible for need based student aid. Another factor was that the
continuing education units, which largely bore the responsibility
for administering distance programs, tended to develop their own
administrative functions, including registration and record keeping.
The complexity of the requirements for administering federal student
financial assistance also militated against providing aid to distance
students. Administrators managing the service were often wary of
providing aid to students enrolled in "non-traditional"
programs for fear they would inadvertently violate regulations and
incur liabilities for their institutions.
This situation is changing rapidly as distance education programs
have become more integral to the mission of many colleges and universities
and the students more diverse. Demand for online services by on-campus
students as well as the efficiencies that can be achieved should
also result in more aid offices moving their services to the Web.
Opportunities for Providing Web-based Service
Administering federal student financial assistance, which is the
primary source of funds to support students and thus is the driver
of the student aid process in general, has until recently required
a number of paper bound transactions and often very long lines of
students during registration periods for one reason because of face
to face loan counseling requirements. Federal requirements have
now been modified to allow the service to be administered online.
The advantages of migrating the service to a fully Web-based environment
are considerable. Students will be able to complete all of the considerable
number of transactions required for the award of aid online, saving
time and frustration. A Web-based service will also make the process
more efficient for student aid officers. It will expedite the frequent
communication required between the aid office and students and enable
student aid officers to improve the services provided. A Web-based
student aid system has the potential to increase the accuracy of
data and the speed of transactions, yield cost savings, and increase
student satisfaction with administrative services.
Issues
Student aid staffs rely on complex systems, in most instances commercially
developed, to perform the myriad of tasks administration of student
financial aid requires. These systems are designed specifically
to meet requirements for administering federal student financial
assistance and to interface with other administrative offices to
provide and receive information needed for the aid process. For
the most part, these systems are not designed to provide student
services per se, but rather to support administration of the aid
process. They tend to be rigid and difficult to adapt to new requirements.
As a result while student aid offices rely very significantly on
technology to administer aid, their systems are not designed to
interface with students. Commercial providers and some institutions
are beginning to address this need, but most aid offices are not
able to offer full student aid services on line.
Over the past several years, the Department of Education (EDUC)
has migrated the transactions necessary to providing federal aid
to students to a Web-based environment. Institutions exchange information
with EDUC and receive student aid funds electronically. EDUC systems
also interface with students. From completing and submitting the
application for federal aid (FAFSA) to checking loan balances, students
may conduct most of their business with EDUC online. EDUC's requirements
that institutions must request copies of tax returns and other similar
documents to verify the information submitted on the FAFSA for a
certain number of applicants will continue to require paper transactions
either by mail or fax.
Up until recently, the question of the legal enforceability of
electronic signatures posed the last remaining barrier to full migration
of federal student aid to the online environment. The passage of
the Electronic Signatures in Global and Nation Commerce Act clarified
the legal status of electronic signatures. The act allows all parties
to the student aid process to use electronic records and electronic
signatures in place of paper records and handwritten signatures.
The Department issued guidance on the use of electronic signatures
in administering student loans in 2001. Uncertainties remain, however,
since guidance does not provide the same assurance as regulations.
In addition as yet, EDUC has not provided guidance concerning the
use of electronic signatures for other student aid transactions.
It's likely that security will be the most important issue. As with
other online transactions, authentication of identify is one of
the most difficult problems to address.
Few, if any, institutions have fully automated their student aid
service. Many provide really helpful information concerning aid
and the aid process rendering the whole subject much more understandable.
Many also provide links to other resources such as FinAid or the
College Board and the Department of Education. The design of the
online service differs according to whether the institution conceptualized
the service primarily for distance education students or the student
body at large. This situation is likely to change as institutions
develop Web based services that enable students to accomplish a
number of functions online and, as well, facilitate exchange of
data among services. Most large institutions are likely to follow
this pathway. Smaller institutions are likely to use other approaches.
The links below illustrate various ways institutions are providing
student financial assistance on line. It must be noted that it is
difficult to determine from websites alone how much of the actual
student aid process can be completed online. This is because the
exchange of information between the student and the institution
is necessarily password protected.
About the Author
Marianne Phelps is an independent consultant and facilitator in
several areas relating to postsecondary education. These include
distance education, accreditation, international education, outcomes
assessment, and organizational change. She served in several high
posts in the U. S. Department of Education, including Special Assistant
to the Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education, was Vice
President for Governmental Relations for the Council on Postsecondary
Accreditation, and served as Associate Provost and University Planning
Officer for The George Washington University. Dr. Phelps has written
numerous articles and presented at many conferences on a variety
of postsecondary education issues. She earned her doctorate in American
Civilization from The George Washington University.
Associations and Organizations
- National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
(NASFAA)
http://www.nasfaa.org/Home.asp
NASFAA is a membership based organization for student financial
aid administrators. This site provides tools, services,
and resources regarding financial aid.
Governmental Agencies and Providers
- U.S. Department of Education, The Student Guide 2001-2002
http://www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide/2001-2/index.html
The Student Guide is the most comprehensive resource
on student financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education.
It covers the Department's major aid programs, including Pell
Grants, Stafford
Loans, and
PLUS Loans. Approximately 70% of all student aid comes from
the programs discussed in the Guide.
- Students.gov, Student Gateway to the U.S. Government
http://www.students.gov/index.html
The Federal government also has a website designed specifically
for students which contains information concerning federal student
financial assistance and other matters of interest to students.
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The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov/
This web site provides access to a database of all Federal programs
available to state and local governments; federally-recognized
Indian tribal governments; Territories (and possessions) of
the United States; domestic public, quasi-public, and private
profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions; specialized
groups; and individuals.
- FAFSA on the Web
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
FAFSA opens the door to the federal aid process. This site provides
information and an application for federal student aid.
All aid administrators will be familiar with the online version
of the Federal Application for Student Financial Assistance
or FAFSA. This site links to the application for a pin which
students can use to sign the FAFSA electronically. The pin also
allows students to check the status of their application for
federal aid and to view a history of the federal aid they have
received. The FAFSA website serves as the gateway to these services
and others.
The Federal Government administers the Direct Loan Program.
From the FAFSA Web page Direct Loan borrowers, using their pin,
can sign promissory notes and access online entrance counseling.
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GI Bill Web Site Education Benefits
http://www.gibill.va.gov/
The GI Bill site is for people in Active Duty and currently
enrolled in school. It has information about the GI Bill
and an online application.
-
Sallie Mae
http://www.salliemae.com/
Sallie Mae plays an integral role in educating parents,
students and educators about the financial aid process.
It currently owns or manages student loans for more than five
million borrowers and is the nation's leading provider of education
loans.
-
Texas Guaranteed (TG)
http://www.adventuresineducation.org/
Texas Guaranteed (TG) provides Adventures In Education
(AIE) to assist parents and students in preparing for and transiting
to higher education. AIE also provides a section for counselors
to assist in the important role they play in students' middle
school to college years.
- State Guaranty Agencies
http://www.ed.gov/Programs/bastmp/SGA.htm
Guaranty agencies may also provide online access to loan counseling
and information concerning signing promissory notes for Stafford
Loans electronically. The link provided leads to a list of Guaranty
Agencies which in turn provides access to the Agency home pages.
Campus Sites
- Brigham Young University Financial Path to Graduation
http://financialaid.byu.edu/path/
Brigham Young University which has one of the most expansively
developed online systems has provided a demonstration site where
visitors can experience what the student would see and be able
to do relative to accessing online financial aid services. As
part of the process of applying for student aid, BYU requires
students to complete an exercise developed at the University called
the Financial Path to Graduation. This gives entering students
an idea of the financial commitment they are undertaking in borrowing
the money they made need to attend the University. It's based
on their intended field of study and occupation or profession
upon graduation.
- Brigham Young University VIP
http://financialaid.byu.edu/vip
BYU's VIP is a system that provides the entire student aid services
online. BYU requires students to use the online service freeing
student aid staff to devote most their time to face-to-face and
telephone financial counseling. The ID is Brigham Young. No password
is required.
- Florida State University
http://www.finaid.fsu.edu
This website provides a guide to completing the FAFSA which includes
links to the Federal pages and information about how to submit
a signature for the FAFSA online.
FSU has initiated online personalized web services. These services
will provide for financial aid processing on line. Forms students
may need to complete for various purposes are available for download,
but must be returned by mail. Also provided is online access to
information concerning loan status and online student loan entrance
counseling.
- University of Southern California
http://www.usc.edu/dept/fao
USC provides an array of online student services, which include
student financial aid. Using "Oasis," students can access
information concerning application status, documents received
and date of receipt, and a summary of awards for the two most
recent award periods. Forms students may need at various points
in the process are available for download, but must be faxed or
mailed to the service office. USC requires undergraduates to complete
the College Board's College Scholarship Service Profile application.
This application is available online.
- University of Texas
http://www.utexas.edu/student/finaid/
Accessing the student aid home page takes one directly to a description
of the Web services available. "Check Aid Status Here"
or CA$H is part of UTDIRECT which enables students to transact
business with several services as well as obtain information.
The electronic aid notification provides students information
on awards and allows them to accept, decline, or reduce awards
and also to select a lender for Stafford loans and report required
information such as reduced enrollment. The site also provides
access to online entrance counseling for students holding loans.
Further information can be obtained conveniently from the site
by e-mailing financial aid staff.
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
http://onestop.
umn.edu/Finances/viewfa02.html
From this site students can view their award, respond to the award
notice, provide information such as change in enrollment status
to finalize the award, and authorize payment. With a link to the
Department of Education Web site, dlenote.ed.gov, students may
sign the promissory note for a direct loan electronically.
- University of Maryland University College
http://www.umuc.edu/students/fincaid.html
The UMUC Web page provides a significant amount of information
concerning the financial aid that is available to students. The
definitions of terms provided in "Getting Started" seems
particularly helpful to individuals new to the student aid process.
The application checklist would also be helpful. UMUC's "ISIS"
system allows students to submit the University's Financial Aid
Data Form and the Scholarship application online and, of course,
the University encourages students to submit their FAFSA on line.
The remainder of the financial aid process is currently conducted
by mail or telephone, and there is no currently no provision for
students to submit signatures electronically.
- Facts
http://www.facts.org
This website contains a repository of information concerning programs
and services offered by public and private colleges and universities
in Florida. It provides basic information concerning student financial
aid and links to the websites of Florida schools and also tools
that enable students to forecast costs, calculate expected family
contribution, and estimate needs for borrowing.
Consumer Sites
-
Back to College: Resources for Re-Entry Students http://www.back2college.com/
This site provides answers to every sort of question re-entry
students may have.
-
CollegeFunds.net
http://www.collegefunds.net/index.html
Accurately produce a multitude of potential scholarships and
financial aid resources that may be available to you nationwide!
Allow you access to a wealth of scholarship information online!
-
College Is Possible Campaign
http://www.collegeispossible.org/
America's colleges and universities have prepared this site
to guide you to the books, websites, and other resources that
admissions and financial aid professionals consider most helpful.
-
College Loan Corporation
http://www.collegeloancorp.com
This site is sponsored by a group of guaranty agencies who participate
in the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). They are
committed to providing information about higher education and
career opportunities. Plan career/ select school/pay for it
-
College Savings Plans Network
http://www.collegesavings.org/
All states have created innovative college savings programs
designed to meet the savings needs of their citizens. These
programs seek to make the savings option easier for the average
family. They represent positive, productive and affordable options
that can ensure the education of our most precious resources:
the children of America.
-
Embark
http://corp.embark.com/default.asp?link_id=523
This site provides information and tools to research, prepare,
apply, finance and get ready for higher education.
-
eStudentLoan
http://www.estudentloan.com/
eStudentLoan.com is a comprehensive site that helps people
compare loans, find scholarships, apply online, and talk to
other people about student loans.
-
Fast Aid.com
http://www.fastaid.com/links.htm
A source of college related links.
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FastWeb
http://www.fastweb.com/
FastWeb helps students make the decisions that shape their lives:
choosing a college, paying for college and finding jobs during
and after college.
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FinAid.org
http://www.finaid.org/
Information on loans, scholarships and military aid. FinAid
(http://www.finaid.org)
is a rich online resource that some institutions link to their
own page financial aid site. FinAid was created several years
ago as a public service and may be one of the most comprehensive
sources for information concerning student aid. It also provides
a series of tools students can use to project college costs,
estimate student aid awards, and calculate loan repayments.
-
IT Skills Loan Program
http://www.itloan.com/index.html
IT Skills Loan Program helps students interested in IT training
and tools.
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Scholarship Experts
http://www.scholarshipexperts.com/
The Scholarship Experts service begins with the completion
of a nine step E-Profile. Then a complete list of awards with
eligibility criteria that matches the answers listed in the
E-Profile is generated.
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Students.Gov
http://students.gov/
Students.gov is a cooperative effort between federal agencies,
students, and other parts of the higher education community,
under the leadership of the U.S. Department of Education. It's
goal is to give college students and those planning for college
easy access to the information and services they need from the
U.S. Government.
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Student Planet.com
http://financialaid.studentplanet.com/
Student Planet.com is a resource for students and parents
to research loans and scholarships for college.
- Wiredscholar
http://scholarshipexperts.wiredscholar.com/paying/content/index.jsp
Wiredscholar is a "Planning for College" destination
site powered by Sallie Mae. It contains various tips and tools
to expedite, simplify and optimize the financial aid process.
Consisting of three main sections, Paying, Deciding, and Financing,
the Wiredscholar Financial Aid Center simplifies the entire financial
aid process for students and parents.
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