Provide Financial Assistance To University Students
To provide grants, loans and/or employment to University students who have displayed financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process
Objective
Promote Staff Development
Provide all elements required to train and maintain staff sufficient to provide accurate and complete assistance to students, parents, campus departments and the community
Indicator
Job Procedures
Maintain job procedures sufficient to assist in employee training and daily operations
Criterion
Procedures Manual
Availability of a current procedures manual on-line or in printed form for staff use
Finding
Procedures Manual Available
A procedures manual for daily operations is available to all staff members; rapid technological changes require the manual to be regularly updated
Criterion
Code of Federal Regulations
Availability of the Code of Federal Regulations for all employee levels for guidance with the administration of federal aid programs
Finding
Published Regulations and Handbook Available
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is available for use through the internet and is downloadable use utilization in either format for all staff members
Criterion
Federal Student Aid Handbook
Availability of the Federal Student Aid Handbook to all staff members to use a guidance in the administration of financial aid
Finding
Availability of the Federal Student Handbooks
The Federal Student Aid Handbooks for current and recent years are available for use through an aid industry internet website and are downloadable use utilization in either format for all staff members
Indicator
Staff Training
Seek and take advantage of training opportunities offered within the financial aid industry
Criterion
Attendance of TG Conference Workshops
Staff member attendence of conference workshops
Finding
Industry Workshops and Conference Participation
Contacts made with industry colleagues provide a valuable resource
Criterion
Higher Education Reconciliation Act (HERA) Training
Attendance of Department of Education HERA Training
Finding
Industry Workshops and Conference Participation
Staff participation in industry workshops and conferences provided training and development tools for application in aid office operations
Action
Continue Participation in External Training
Continue and expand participation in industry training, workshops and conferences
Action
Periodically Update Manual
Periodic reviews and updates must be performed due to technological and regulatory enhancements
Action
Utilization Federal Student Aid Handbook
Utilization of the industry website, IFAP, as the source to access the Federal Student Aid Handbooks; references to CFR regulation codes by number are provide for further instructional material
Action
Utilization of Federal Regulations
The Code of Federal Regulations is to be use to update and establish policies and procedures for aid administration; internet access to Code ensures utilization of must current regulations
Objective
Enhance Student Service
Provide information and assistance to students and parents regarding aid program availability, the application process and applicant rights and responsibilities
Indicator
Staff Training
Seek and take advantage of training opportunities offered within the financial aid industry
Criterion
Attendance of TG Conference Workshops
Staff member attendence of conference workshops
Finding
Industry Workshops and Conference Participation
Contacts made with industry colleagues provide a valuable resource
Criterion
Higher Education Reconciliation Act (HERA) Training
Attendance of Department of Education HERA Training
Finding
Industry Workshops and Conference Participation
Staff participation in industry workshops and conferences provided training and development tools for application in aid office operations
Indicator
Banner Conversion
Prepare for financial aid management software conversion from SCT Plus to Banner
Criterion
Banner Software Training
Banner Training in preparation for data migration and implementation
Finding
Banner Training Schedule
Banner software is to be implemented for the academic year 2009-2010; implementation team training will begin in early 2008
Criterion
Banner Conversion Preparations
Begin preparations for identifying areas of concern through the migration and implementation process
Finding
Software Conversion Preparations
Documentation of existing functionality required after conversion is in progress, process will be ongoing throughout conversion project
Indicator
Peer Counseling
Offer peer counseling to assist student with the financial aid process including but not limited to technological access to applications and award offers
Criterion
Peer Counselor
To hire and maintain at least one peer counselor position in the aid office
Finding
Peer Counselor Utilized Successfully
The service available through a Peer Counselor meets a need student applicants have with one-on-one assistance with assistance through steps in the aid application process
Indicator
E-Signature
Implement e-signature availability for student use on University documents
Criterion
Semester Loan E-signature
Implementation of the e-signature capability within the semester loan program
Finding
Use of E-signature in Semester Loan Process
Implementation and use of the e-signature functionality has been successful
Action
Utilization of E-signature in Semester Loan Area
E-signature is fully implemented and is successfully utilized by students
Action
Student Employee Training
Seek and train student employees who have communication abilities and a desire to help others through the financial aid process
Objective
Enhance Technology
Improved the technology necessary to process, maintain and report financial aid
Indicator
Banner Conversion
Prepare for financial aid management software conversion from SCT Plus to Banner
Criterion
Banner Software Training
Banner Training in preparation for data migration and implementation
Finding
Banner Training Schedule
Banner software is to be implemented for the academic year 2009-2010; implementation team training will begin in early 2008
Criterion
Banner Conversion Preparations
Begin preparations for identifying areas of concern through the migration and implementation process
Finding
Software Conversion Preparations
Documentation of existing functionality required after conversion is in progress, process will be ongoing throughout conversion project
Action
Prepare for Conversion
Continue to prepare list of necessary functionality that will need to be integrated or implemented upon and within the software conversion process
Action
Banner Training Schedule
Banner implementation team training schedule has been completed; adjustments may be needed along the way
Goal
Regulatory Compliance
To disburse and report federal, state and local financial aid funds in accordance with governing regulatory requirements
Objective
Promote Staff Development
Provide all elements required to train and maintain staff sufficient to provide accurate and complete assistance to students, parents, campus departments and the community
Indicator
Job Procedures
Maintain job procedures sufficient to assist in employee training and daily operations
Criterion
Procedures Manual
Availability of a current procedures manual on-line or in printed form for staff use
Finding
Procedures Manual Available
A procedures manual for daily operations is available to all staff members; rapid technological changes require the manual to be regularly updated
Criterion
Code of Federal Regulations
Availability of the Code of Federal Regulations for all employee levels for guidance with the administration of federal aid programs
Finding
Published Regulations and Handbook Available
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is available for use through the internet and is downloadable use utilization in either format for all staff members
Criterion
Federal Student Aid Handbook
Availability of the Federal Student Aid Handbook to all staff members to use a guidance in the administration of financial aid
Finding
Availability of the Federal Student Handbooks
The Federal Student Aid Handbooks for current and recent years are available for use through an aid industry internet website and are downloadable use utilization in either format for all staff members
Indicator
Staff Training
Seek and take advantage of training opportunities offered within the financial aid industry
Criterion
Attendance of TG Conference Workshops
Staff member attendence of conference workshops
Finding
Industry Workshops and Conference Participation
Contacts made with industry colleagues provide a valuable resource
Criterion
Higher Education Reconciliation Act (HERA) Training
Attendance of Department of Education HERA Training
Finding
Industry Workshops and Conference Participation
Staff participation in industry workshops and conferences provided training and development tools for application in aid office operations
Action
Continue Participation in External Training
Continue and expand participation in industry training, workshops and conferences
Action
Periodically Update Manual
Periodic reviews and updates must be performed due to technological and regulatory enhancements
Action
Utilization Federal Student Aid Handbook
Utilization of the industry website, IFAP, as the source to access the Federal Student Aid Handbooks; references to CFR regulation codes by number are provide for further instructional material
Action
Utilization of Federal Regulations
The Code of Federal Regulations is to be use to update and establish policies and procedures for aid administration; internet access to Code ensures utilization of must current regulations
Objective
Enhance Student Service
Provide information and assistance to students and parents regarding aid program availability, the application process and applicant rights and responsibilities
Indicator
Staff Training
Seek and take advantage of training opportunities offered within the financial aid industry
Criterion
Attendance of TG Conference Workshops
Staff member attendence of conference workshops
Finding
Industry Workshops and Conference Participation
Contacts made with industry colleagues provide a valuable resource
Criterion
Higher Education Reconciliation Act (HERA) Training
Attendance of Department of Education HERA Training
Finding
Industry Workshops and Conference Participation
Staff participation in industry workshops and conferences provided training and development tools for application in aid office operations
Indicator
Banner Conversion
Prepare for financial aid management software conversion from SCT Plus to Banner
Criterion
Banner Software Training
Banner Training in preparation for data migration and implementation
Finding
Banner Training Schedule
Banner software is to be implemented for the academic year 2009-2010; implementation team training will begin in early 2008
Criterion
Banner Conversion Preparations
Begin preparations for identifying areas of concern through the migration and implementation process
Finding
Software Conversion Preparations
Documentation of existing functionality required after conversion is in progress, process will be ongoing throughout conversion project
Indicator
Peer Counseling
Offer peer counseling to assist student with the financial aid process including but not limited to technological access to applications and award offers
Criterion
Peer Counselor
To hire and maintain at least one peer counselor position in the aid office
Finding
Peer Counselor Utilized Successfully
The service available through a Peer Counselor meets a need student applicants have with one-on-one assistance with assistance through steps in the aid application process
Indicator
E-Signature
Implement e-signature availability for student use on University documents
Criterion
Semester Loan E-signature
Implementation of the e-signature capability within the semester loan program
Finding
Use of E-signature in Semester Loan Process
Implementation and use of the e-signature functionality has been successful
Action
Utilization of E-signature in Semester Loan Area
E-signature is fully implemented and is successfully utilized by students
Action
Student Employee Training
Seek and train student employees who have communication abilities and a desire to help others through the financial aid process
Objective
Enhance Technology
Improved the technology necessary to process, maintain and report financial aid
Indicator
Banner Conversion
Prepare for financial aid management software conversion from SCT Plus to Banner
Criterion
Banner Software Training
Banner Training in preparation for data migration and implementation
Finding
Banner Training Schedule
Banner software is to be implemented for the academic year 2009-2010; implementation team training will begin in early 2008
Criterion
Banner Conversion Preparations
Begin preparations for identifying areas of concern through the migration and implementation process
Finding
Software Conversion Preparations
Documentation of existing functionality required after conversion is in progress, process will be ongoing throughout conversion project
Action
Prepare for Conversion
Continue to prepare list of necessary functionality that will need to be integrated or implemented upon and within the software conversion process
Action
Banner Training Schedule
Banner implementation team training schedule has been completed; adjustments may be needed along the way
Objective
Perform Regulatory Reporting
Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of federal, state and local reporting
Indicator
Staff Training
Seek and take advantage of training opportunities offered within the financial aid industry
Criterion
Attendance of TG Conference Workshops
Staff member attendence of conference workshops
Finding
Industry Workshops and Conference Participation
Contacts made with industry colleagues provide a valuable resource
Criterion
Higher Education Reconciliation Act (HERA) Training
Attendance of Department of Education HERA Training
Finding
Industry Workshops and Conference Participation
Staff participation in industry workshops and conferences provided training and development tools for application in aid office operations
Indicator
Federal And State Reporting
Satisfy federal and state reporting requirement such as but not limited to the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate and the Coordinating Board's FAD Report
Criterion
Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP)
Successful completion of annual the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP)
Finding
FISAP Report Completed
FISAP report submitted successfully
Criterion
TEXAS Grant Year-End Report
To report to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board the report activities for award details of the TEXAS Grant program
Finding
TEXAS Grant Report Completed
Successful submission of the TEXAS Grant Report
Criterion
State Fund Reporting
Report annual expenditures of state aid program, Texas Work-Study, LEAP, SLEAP and 5th Year Accounting
Finding
State Fund Expenditure Report Completed
Reporting of state fund expenditures was successfully completed
Action
Annual Submission of FISAP Report
Meet the FISAP report requirements annually
Action
Annual Submission of TEXAS Grant Report
Meet reporting requirement annually
Action
Meet State Funds Reporting Requirement
Meet the requirement of reporting state fund expenditures annually