tim lehmann director of financial aid rick shipman director of financial aid forum 2006 san diego...

Tim LehmannDirector of Financial Aid

Rick ShipmanDirector of Financial Aid

Forum 2006San Diego

OnlineFinancial Aid Services

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Michigan State UniversityOverview

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MSU on the Map

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Founded in 1855 Nation’s first land-grant institution Located in East Lansing, Michigan 5,200 acre campus Largest residence hall system in US

24 halls and 3 apartment villages

Campus

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Academics

>200 academic programs 14 degree-granting colleges

3 medical schools 1 affiliated law school

49,000 students from All 83 Michigan counties All 50 states Over 125 countries

>200 study abroad programs in 60 countries/all continents 10,500 employees

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The Office of Financial Aid has… 43 regular employees + 7 summer temps + 1 student emp 3 full time campus locations 5 part time campus locations in residence halls 72% of students receive financial aid $406 million paid in 2005-06

$ 84 m - institutional grants/scholarships $ 48 m - state grants/scholarships/work study $ 25 m - federal grants/work study $211m - federal loans $ 15 m - private grants/scholarships $ 23 m - private loans

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Online Services

Overview of online FA services

Address essential question of why 2 very differently structured institutions arrive at similar solutions to online FA services

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Online Services Can…

supplement traditional offerings replace traditional offerings provide new offerings reduce staffing needs minimize turnaround time

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Who is the audience?

Prospective Students Parents of Prospective Students HS Counselors Current Students Parents of Current Students Aid Office Staff Other Interested Parties

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What do they want?

What do they want? Basic information

Costs Calendar/Deadlines How to apply for aid Typical aid packages Payment rules Office contact information

Ability to be anonymous

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What do they want?

Advanced Information Online forms

Applications Loan notes Budgeting templates

Online processes Acceptance of aid Direct deposit of refund instructions Verification of application data

Ability to ask questions Sense of security with personal data

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How do they want it?

24 hours a day, 7 days a week Available from any convenient device Option of anonymity Security of confidential information Easy navigation/Intuitive Immediate feedback/Confirmation of actions Secondary voice verification option

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Typical online FA venues

Website Web applications Email Instant Messaging/Chat Text Messaging RSS Feeds Pod Cast

© 2005 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute

Online Services College Board Midwest Regional Forum

Tim Lehmann – Director of Financial Aid

November 10, 2006

San Diego California

© 2005 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute 15

Capella University OverviewHistory

• Founded in 1993; based in Minneapolis, MN (633 staff + 739 faculty)

• Leading online university serving 16,500 students in all 50 states

• Participant in Department of Education Distance Education Demonstration Program

Program Offerings

Undergraduate degree programs in: Graduate degree programs in:

Technology Education

Business Technology

Business

Human Services

Psychology

Accreditation

Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, 30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, (312) 263-0456, www.higherlearningcommission.org.

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Capella University Overview

Business 26%

Education 22%

Human Services 19%

Psychology 19%

Technology 14%

Enrollment by School

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Capella University Overview

Enrollment by Degree

BS 15%

CERT 2%

MS/MBA 37%

PhD/PsyD 46%

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• 33% ethnic minority

• 18% affiliated with military

• 15% from rural communities

• 61% female

• 98% over the age of 25

• Average age: 41

Capella University Student Demographics

Extending Access:

Student Demographics

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The Virtual Campus

iGuide is the portal that was created by Capella University as our “virtual Campus.”

All of our core student services are available through iGuide and its various “campus locations”

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The Online Classroom

iGuide is divided into various campus locations and then within the “Virtual Offices” is where the services are defined.

This is an example of the various “services” that are available from the courses/course room menu.

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The Online Classroom:Our Learning Model at Work

Students have 24/7 access to the world class Johns Hopkins Sheridan Library System.

Students participate in threaded discussions which are guided by

and evaluated by faculty.

Students cannot exist in the background in Capella

courserooms. The asynchronous discussion format requires participation and promotes

“reflective practice” which allows students to prepare and research

prior to posting in the courseroom.

Discussions and assignments are also peer reviewed—which fosters critical thinking and is an incentive

to write clearly.

The courseroom provides navigation to a variety of tools and features including: access to course content, learning assignments, and profiles, and links to information and services designed to support the learning experience.

The competencies students should be able to demonstrate upon course completion are outlined here.

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The Financial Aid Office

Financial Aid is located under the finance tab. This “office” is where our learners would come to apply as well as manage there financial aid.

We also make sure that our military learners know where to go for additional services and support. We are currently the 12th largest VA certifying school in the Country

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The Financial Aid Office

One of our most important virtual tools.

•Default Management•Loan disbursement information•Repayment and counseling links

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The Financial Aid Office

The portal is dynamic enough to determine which aid years the learner is applying for and can respond back indicating completion.

This assists in promoting self service and the ability to “be available” in real time 24 x 7.

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Academic Advising

Advising & Resources is where our learners will go to orientate to the course room and get support with all academic concerns.

Most frequented links are to the bookstore, writing support, and library.

Forms and other static activities also promote self service and reduce phone calls and are accessible 24 hours 7 days a week.

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Academic Success Center

The Academic Success Center assists our learners with:

•Computer skills•Using the Library •Writing Support and APA standards•Personal success strategies

These online opportunities are available and are frequently used by new learners who want a self paced practice session devoted to specific topics

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Career Center

At the end of 2004, we launched the Career Center at Capella University.

Here learners, can research graduate school choices, manage their careers, access job databases, and reach one of our career counselors

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Disability Services

This has become a service that crosses bricks and clicks. We provide a wide variety of support and accommodations for learners with disabilities.

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Library

Capella University partners with John Hopkins University for our library services.

Learners can connect to the library services 24 hours per day, check out material and research 50+ databases on any given subject.

They can also connect with a JHU librarian dedicated to serving Capella learners.

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Registrar’s Office

At the Registrar’s office, our learners are able to view and request their records and transcripts.

In addition, learners can modify their personal information with us, and provide additional methods to reach them (email and phone).

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Registrar’s Office

The ability to print out an Unofficial transcript at any time is another example of taking a campus based service and moving it out to the Web.

On iGuide this is an unofficial version with the option of requesting a official version

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The Community

iGuide is also the location for our community activities. Creating and maintaining a sense of community can be a unique challenge for online services.

Capella University strives to provide numerous and engaging opportunities to connect with other Capella learners.

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Capella Times e-Newsletter

Capella Times is the online campus newsletter that is issued at a minimum monthly and features:

•Policy changes•Important messages•Faculty spotlights•Learner Spotlights•Alumni Spotlights•Higher Ed industry information

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Community

The Monthly Discussions allow learners to focus on various topics of interest.

Here is an audio clipFrom one of the recent discussions

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Community –”Gone Bad”

Then, in the spring of 2003, fraternity members hacked into the web site of rival University of Phoenix Online, erased its mascot, and placed a downloaded version on their own web site. Although no one was ever charged with the theft of the copyrighted clip art, the online fraternity was warned that further misbehavior would result in serious disciplinary action.

© 2005 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute

Questions?

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Online Services

MSU online FA services Email

Alert students/parents of needed actions Provide general FA information

Website Provide basic information Document policies and procedures Form download capability

Web Applications All required FA processes are supported

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OnlineFinancial Aid Services

Questions?