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 Availability
A procedures manual for daily operations is available to all staff members.
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 Regulatory Availability
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is available for use by all staff members through the internet and is downloadable.
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
Federal Student Handbooks Availability
The Federal Student Aid Handbook fro current and recent years are available form use through an aid industry internet website which is available to all staff members.
Indicator
Staff Training
Seek and take advantage of training opportunities
Criterion
Participation In Conferences And Workshop
Staff member participation in conferences, webinars and workshops
Finding
Workshop And Conference Participation
Participation in workshops and conferences resulted in increased staff development.
Criterion
In-house Office Training
Periodic training sessions developed internal to the Financial Aid Office to present new business processes and to reinforce existing procedures
Action
Participation In Industry Leading Training
Take advantage of industry training opportunities such as webinars, workshops and conferences
Action
Update Procedures Manual
Conduct periodic reviews and maintenance of procedures manual due to changes in regulations and technology
Action
Utilize Federal Regulations And Handbooks
Access and utilization of the regulations and handbook through industry internet sites or downloaded versions of material
Action
Office-wide Banner Training
Regular and timely training is provided by a Financial Aid Office staff member to other office employees. Training material are updated and provided as new pieces of the module are implemented
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
Banner Conversion
Prepare for financial aid management software conversion from SCT Plus to Banner
Criterion
Banner Conversion Preparations
Begin preparations by identifying areas of concern through the migration and implementation process
Finding
Implementation Schedule
The project implementation schedule maintains a log of the tasks completed and outstanding. Progress has been steady.
Criterion
Banner Implementation Training
Banner Training in preparation for data migration and implementation
Finding
Progress Through Training
Progress through Banner training has been steady but the training has been less complete or thorough than needed
Indicator
E-Signature
Implement e-signature availability for student use on University documents
Criterion
E-signature Capability on University Documents
Implementation of e-signature capability on financial aid office documents
Finding
E-signature Is A Lower Priority Than Banner Implementation
Implementation of Banner software University-wide is a higher priority than e-signature for financial aid doucments.
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 Counseling Effectiveness
The peer counselor adds flexibility to give additional individualized attention to applicants.
Action
Update Procedures Manual
Conduct periodic reviews and maintenance of procedures manual due to changes in regulations and technology
Action
Utilize Federal Regulations And Handbooks
Access and utilization of the regulations and handbook through industry internet sites or downloaded versions of material
Action
Implementation Of Banner Financial Aid Module
The Financial Aid Office went 'live' with the Banner Financial Aid Module. Full implementation occurs in steps beginning with tracking and will be completed in 09-10.
Action
Peer Counselor Employment And Training
Seek and train students who have good communication skills and a desire to help other students 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 Conversion Preparations
Begin preparations by identifying areas of concern through the migration and implementation process
Finding
Implementation Schedule
The project implementation schedule maintains a log of the tasks completed and outstanding. Progress has been steady.
Criterion
Banner Implementation Training
Banner Training in preparation for data migration and implementation
Finding
Progress Through Training
Progress through Banner training has been steady but the training has been less complete or thorough than needed
Action
Implementation Of Banner Financial Aid Module
The Financial Aid Office went 'live' with the Banner Financial Aid Module. Full implementation occurs in steps beginning with tracking and will be completed in 09-10.
Action
Office-wide Banner Training
Regular and timely training is provided by a Financial Aid Office staff member to other office employees. Training material are updated and provided as new pieces of the module are implemented
Objective
Perform Regulatory Reporting
Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of federal, state and local reporting
Indicator
Federal And State Reporting
Satisfy federal and state reporting requirement such as but not limited to the Fiscal Operations Repert 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 Preparation In Progress
Preparation has begun for FISAP reporting; deadline is September 30
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
Submission Of TEXAS Grant Year End Report
TEXAS Grant Report was successfully submitted
Criterion
State Fund Reporting
Report annual expenditures of state aid program, Texas Work-Study, LEAP, SLEAP and 5th Year Accounting
Finding
State Funds Expenditure Reports
Reporting of state aid expenditures has been successfully completed
Action
TEXAS Grant And State Fund Expenditure Report
Reports have been successfully completed
Action
Prepartory Work Required For FISAP
Regular and monthly balancing of accounts and annual review of FISAP instructions as they become available assist significantly in the prepartory work of the FISAP
Goal
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 Availability
A procedures manual for daily operations is available to all staff members.
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 Regulatory Availability
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is available for use by all staff members through the internet and is downloadable.
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
Federal Student Handbooks Availability
The Federal Student Aid Handbook fro current and recent years are available form use through an aid industry internet website which is available to all staff members.
Indicator
Staff Training
Seek and take advantage of training opportunities
Criterion
Participation In Conferences And Workshop
Staff member participation in conferences, webinars and workshops
Finding
Workshop And Conference Participation
Participation in workshops and conferences resulted in increased staff development.
Criterion
In-house Office Training
Periodic training sessions developed internal to the Financial Aid Office to present new business processes and to reinforce existing procedures
Action
Participation In Industry Leading Training
Take advantage of industry training opportunities such as webinars, workshops and conferences
Action
Update Procedures Manual
Conduct periodic reviews and maintenance of procedures manual due to changes in regulations and technology
Action
Utilize Federal Regulations And Handbooks
Access and utilization of the regulations and handbook through industry internet sites or downloaded versions of material
Action
Office-wide Banner Training
Regular and timely training is provided by a Financial Aid Office staff member to other office employees. Training material are updated and provided as new pieces of the module are implemented
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
Banner Conversion
Prepare for financial aid management software conversion from SCT Plus to Banner
Criterion
Banner Conversion Preparations
Begin preparations by identifying areas of concern through the migration and implementation process
Finding
Implementation Schedule
The project implementation schedule maintains a log of the tasks completed and outstanding. Progress has been steady.
Criterion
Banner Implementation Training
Banner Training in preparation for data migration and implementation
Finding
Progress Through Training
Progress through Banner training has been steady but the training has been less complete or thorough than needed
Indicator
E-Signature
Implement e-signature availability for student use on University documents
Criterion
E-signature Capability on University Documents
Implementation of e-signature capability on financial aid office documents
Finding
E-signature Is A Lower Priority Than Banner Implementation
Implementation of Banner software University-wide is a higher priority than e-signature for financial aid doucments.
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 Counseling Effectiveness
The peer counselor adds flexibility to give additional individualized attention to applicants.
Action
Update Procedures Manual
Conduct periodic reviews and maintenance of procedures manual due to changes in regulations and technology
Action
Utilize Federal Regulations And Handbooks
Access and utilization of the regulations and handbook through industry internet sites or downloaded versions of material
Action
Implementation Of Banner Financial Aid Module
The Financial Aid Office went 'live' with the Banner Financial Aid Module. Full implementation occurs in steps beginning with tracking and will be completed in 09-10.
Action
Peer Counselor Employment And Training
Seek and train students who have good communication skills and a desire to help other students 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 Conversion Preparations
Begin preparations by identifying areas of concern through the migration and implementation process
Finding
Implementation Schedule
The project implementation schedule maintains a log of the tasks completed and outstanding. Progress has been steady.
Criterion
Banner Implementation Training
Banner Training in preparation for data migration and implementation
Finding
Progress Through Training
Progress through Banner training has been steady but the training has been less complete or thorough than needed
Action
Implementation Of Banner Financial Aid Module
The Financial Aid Office went 'live' with the Banner Financial Aid Module. Full implementation occurs in steps beginning with tracking and will be completed in 09-10.
Action
Office-wide Banner Training
Regular and timely training is provided by a Financial Aid Office staff member to other office employees. Training material are updated and provided as new pieces of the module are implemented