As a professional services organization, Evans Consulting believes that promoting best practices for the effective administration of student financial aid is essential to the public good. To that end, we leverage technology whenever possible to facilitate knowledge sharing with our school clients and the higher education community at large. In the interview below, Evans Consulting … Continue reading →
Managing a Mobile Workforce
For many businesses and other organizations operating in today’s global economy, maintaining a remote workforce is increasingly becoming the norm. This trend is tied to the proliferation of online and mobile collaboration tools, along with evidence that telecommuters can reduce overhead costs for an organization. In addition, research shows that remote-based workers often generate greater … Continue reading →
To Refuse or Reduce Loans? That Is the Question
To give away money is an easy matter … and in any man’s power. But to decide to whom to give it, and how large and when, for what purpose and how, is neither in every man’s power nor an easy matter. Hence it is that such excellence is rare, praiseworthy and noble. – Aristotle … Continue reading →
The Role of Social Security Numbers in Financial Aid Processing
Financial aid administrators are often tasked with educating admissions offices and high school counselors about the importance of collecting social security numbers (SSNs). Families may be reluctant to supply this information and may ask: Why does the college, university or financial aid application need my SSN? As we all know, we are in the world … Continue reading →
Yes, Virginia, Federal Student Aid can be exciting!
When I attend financial aid conferences, I don’t have very high expectations on the excitement scale. In fact, I mostly expect to feel somewhere in the range of mildly interested, utterly confused, or just plain bored by the session topics. So it was an unexpected and welcome change when I attended my first session at … Continue reading →
Key Considerations for Sending Missing Information Letters and Student Award Notifications
In my consulting work with ECG clients, I’ve noticed that many schools share some common challenges with regard to the timing, frequency and other aspects of sending missing information letters and award notifications to students. Here are some suggested strategies: Missing Information Letters 1. Be specific AND succinct The first thing to remember with missing … Continue reading →
How to Retain High-Quality Financial Aid Staff
If you’re a financial aid director reading this blog article and asking yourself this question, look no further than in the mirror. That’s because the single most important ingredient for creating and retaining a high-quality financial aid staff is having a strong office leader. It’s that simple. Sure, there may be factors outside of your … Continue reading →
How to Alleviate the Stress of SAR Comment Codes
Receiving a Student Aid Report (SAR) that contains one or more comment codes can sometimes be intimidating for students and families because they think they’ve done something wrong. That’s why it’s important for staff in the financial aid office to be knowledgeable about what the comment codes mean and how to resolve them. The problem … Continue reading →
7 Strategies for Creating a Culture of Collaboration
“That’s not in my job description!” Ever hear that around your office? I can’t even count how many times I have. To some degree, and in certain contexts, that statement is legit! In an age where technology has exponentially increased staff accessibility (thus making us extremely busy), it is necessary to place healthy boundaries around … Continue reading →
Using Financial Aid Management Systems Effectively
In the world of financial aid, as with most professions, effective use of technology is key to the success of the operations. Below, Senior Consultant Vikki Goeke shares some insights about common challenges that schools face with maximizing their use of financial aid management (FAM) systems. What are the top challenges you have observed related to … Continue reading →
