SOE Review Options

There are two options for conducting a Standards of Excellence Review at your institution: a Full SOE Review or an SOE Modular Review. Brief descriptions are included below. Or, you can download the SOE Informational Packet, which includes many more details.

The cost of an SOE Review – both Full and Modular – is based on enrollment and the number of federal financial aid programs at your institution. Each SOE Modular Review is priced separately. NASFAA also offers a limited number of subsidized reviews though our work with funding partners.

If you would like to see how much it will cost to have an SOE Review at your institution, simply complete the no-obligation Cost Estimate Request Form, which is an online form, or download and print the Cost Estimate Request Form as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file and fax it to 202-785-1487.

The Full SOE Review

For the full SOE Review, our team of experts will look at all aspects of Title IV program administration. Each area listed below receives a broad evaluation:

• Student service and satisfaction
• Program compliance, operations, and delivery
• Systems, automation, and technology utilization
• Human resources and facilities

The SOE Modular Reviews

SOE Modular Reviews expand on the evaluation provided in the full review and offer a detailed and comprehensive examination of one topic area. SOE Modular Reviews let you choose which area of the financial aid office to evaluate - based on your institution’s needs and budget. Whether you want to improve efficiency, streamline processes, sharpen customer service, or evaluate compliance issues, there is an SOE Modular Review that's right for your institution. Descriptions of each module are included below. For additional information about each module, please download the SOE Modular Review Packet as an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) file.

Communications
Financial aid offices must communicate effectively with students, parents, and other departments. Don't allow poor communications to hamper your institution s delivery of Title IV assistance. Contact NASFAA for a comprehensive Communications Review.

Customer Service
A first-rate institution is always concerned about its service to students - from in-person service at the front counter to service by mail, phone, web, and printed publications. A comprehensive survey of your current students can help identify perceived areas of strength and weakness. The survey can be tailored to specific categories of students (i.e., residential/commuter, ethnic background, graduate/undergraduate, etc.) or it can assess the overall impressions of your student population.

Financial Aid Application Process
This review can help revamp current processes, eliminate loopholes, reduce outmoded steps, enhance delivery, or integrate new federal requirements. A great review for every institution!

Human Resources & Facilities
Is your financial aid office adequately staffed based on the number of students served and the level of automation? Is there ample office space? Request a Human Resources & Facilities Assessment to help optimize current space and substantiate requests for change.

Strategic Planning & Oversight
This review examines the financial aid office's mission, strategic planning efforts, and policies and procedures. It also looks at the adequacy of the office's operating budget, director's management style, financial aid administrative philosophies, lines of authority, and reporting structure. This review helps institutions link regulatory compliance with successful office management, and also serves as an excellent first step for financial aid offices preparing for an institutional self-study.

Technology
Computer technology is now critical to the delivery of financial aid. Has your aid office embraced the most recent innovations and taken full advantage of automated tools? This thorough evaluation will compare hardware and software to federal standards and review every phase of your aid operations to help you take full advantage of current technology.

Title IV Compliance
Whether preparing for a federal program review or confirming that you've successfully implemented current regulations, a Title IV Compliance Review is the answer. This review is also perfect for financial aid directors who have recently changed jobs and want a detailed assessment of their "new" office. Reviewers examine every phase of financial aid delivery, from application intake to reporting and record keeping.

Next Step

If you are ready to take the next step, simply complete the no-obligation Cost Estimate Request Form, which is an online form, or download and print the Cost Estimate Request Form as an Adobe Acrobat PDF file and fax it to 202-785-1487.

Please direct all questions about SOE to Susan Luhman, program coordinator, at Excellence@NASFAA.org or (202) 785-6972.