Just in time for summer, we mailed two issues of Student Aid Transcript magazine in two months. Why the rush? Unforeseen events delayed the press date of the first issue while the second issue remained on schedule. Once you see what's inside, you're sure to agree it was worth the wait for both!
Thinking Outside of the [Mail] Box
This issue, mailed May 1, addresses a diverse range of topics. Don't be surprised if you find yourself marking this issue as a "keeper." Many Members received this issue in late May. If you haven't received yours yet, take a look at what's in store for you:
Feature Articles
You've Got Aid! Electronic Award Notices Save Time and Money by Rick Shipman and Val Meyers. Electronic award notifications saved Michigan State University time, space, and over $60,000 in postage and supplies. Could it work for you?
Financial Aid Literacy for Students by Mary Morrison. Stanford's one-credit course helps students prepare for their financial future.
Making the Media Work for You by Gene Evans. This final article in a two-part series on working with the media shows you how to get reporters to cover the stories that are important to you and your institution.
Legal Checkup
Illegal Inducements and Arrangements Between Institutions and FFEL Loan Providers by Saul L. Moskowitz. Are preferred lender lists legal? What kinds of arrangements between a school and a lender are acceptable? If you're an FFEL school or lender, this is a must-read!
Research Briefs
Coping with Recession: Public Policy, Economic Downturns, and Higher Education by Patrick M. Callan. The current recession coincides with the third great wave of college enrollments. Read why the stakes for maintaining and enhancing college opportunity have never been greater.
How Effective Are State Merit Aid Programs? by Kenneth E. Redd. A recent symposium held by Harvard's Civil Rights Project posed tough questions about the effectiveness of state merit aid programs.
Sounding Board
Stress and Burnout in Admissions and Financial Aid by Bob Laird. A 22-year veteran of the admissions and financial aid trenches offers suggestions for managing the causes of burnout and stress.
Student Aid Soars into the 21st Century!
This issue, mailed June 1, features five articles on technology in the student aid office, written by NASFAA's 2002 Technology Initiatives Committee… and that's just the beginning of this 108 page issue. You won't want to miss even one these articles:
Special Section: Technology in the Financial Aid Office
The Only Constant Is Change by Stephen Clemente. Technological change is inevitable. What new offerings could best serve your office?
Electronic Signatures: The Missing Ink by Audrey Osswald. Electronic authorization systems can satisfy requirements and streamline processing. Read about how you can apply electronic signatures in the aid office.
Understanding Distance Education: A Primer for Financial Aid Administrators by Ellen Blackmun. Gain a solid understanding of this growing trend in higher education.
How Portal Technology Can Improve Your Web Presence by Julie Berg-Mattson and Craig Cornell. Learn how portal technology can assist students and parents in customizing their Web experience.
Developing an Electronic Policy Manual for Your Financial Aid Office by Jeremy Mayernik. Learn ways to develop your own electronic policy manual, and place relevant policies and procedures information literally at your fingertips.
Introducing the Meteor Project by Stephen J. Clemente. Premiering summer 2002, a new way to access accurate aggregated financial aid information.
Demystifying XML by Stephen J. Clemente. Understand what you need to know about XML, the new standard for financial aid data transmission.
Legal Checkup
Do I Have to Be a Cop? Detecting, Evaluating, and Reporting Financial Aid Fraud by Blain Butner. What can you do—and what must you do—when you suspect a student or an employee of fraud?
Focus on Leadership
Because You're a Pro: The 2002 NASFAA Leadership Conference by Ermelinda Carvajal. Participants in NASFAA's March Leadership Conference learn the building blocks of leadership and exercise their advocacy skills.
Unethical Silence by Thomas Ratliff. When the student aid programs are on the line, silence is not always golden.
Research Briefs
Salary Levels for Chief Financial Aid Administrators by Kenneth E. Redd. How and why results from the 2001 Survey of Undergraduate Financial Aid Policies, Practices, and Procedures show that men still have higher salaries.
College Costs and Prices: A Summary of Trends and Relationships, 1988-89 to 1997-98 by Alisa Federico Cunningham. An excerpt from the final report of the NCES study.
PLUS, starting on page 67, you'll find the 2002 edition of NASFAA's annual Directory of Constituent Member Services, a handy list of our Constituent Members and the products and services they offer.
As you can see, you'll want to read both issues cover-to-cover. Why not take one to the beach and the other on your flight to the 2002 NASFAA Conference in New Orleans!
By Linda Conard
NASFAA Senior Associate Director of Communications
Posted June 18, 2002 on www.NASFAA.org, the Web Site of the
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).
Copyright 2002.
Please submit Web Site questions or comments to ask@nasfaa.org
