Achieving The DreamFinancial Aid Strategy Team Year One Progress Report

And Year Two Strategies

April 15, 2009

Action Items Year One 2008-2009

1. Increase Number Of Joint Recruitment/ Financial Aid Presentations To Schools And Agencies Serving Adult Populations

Result: Complete 2007-2008 48 Presentations 2008-2009 55 Presentations through

12/2008 Remains an action item

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2. Expand Marketing Of Financial Aid On College Homepage: Prospective Student Link And Student Right-To-Know Link

Result: Complete Revolving banners on main homepage Promotion of free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on

student Right-To-Know emails sent to all students Student Right-To-Know link to financial aid webpage Student Right-To-Know information page in course schedules each

semester Financial aid section of college catalog Extensive financial aid information in student handbook Remains and action item

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3. Utilize Students in Recruitment Process Result: Complete Students are utilized regularly both on

and off campus Students are made aware of option to

apply for community service learning creditRemains an action item

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4. Collaborate with the Bursar to create comment on student fee statement to encourage student to seek financial aid for help with tuition and fees

Result: Complete

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5. High School Senior Lists To Inform Prospective Students To File The FAFSA

Result: Complete Remains an action item however other

strategies used in recruitment and public relations compliment this item, i.e.,

Online application and Hobson’s Contact Management Software

Prospective students who indicate an interest in Financial Aid information on the Online Administration Application are identified by email to the Financial Aid Office for follow-up contact

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6. Right-To-Know Emails To All Students And Right-To-Know Link On Financial Aid Website Used To Encourage Current Students And Prospective Students To File The FAFSA

Result: Complete See item 2 above

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7. Increase The Number Of Financial Aid Presentations To Success In College Life Classes

Result: Complete 2007-2008 14 Presentations 2008-2009 24 Presentations through

12/2008 Remains an action item

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8. Increase OCCC Faculty And Staff Awareness Of Financial Aid Resources Through Distribution Of U.S. Department Of Education Publication: Counselor And Mentor’s Handbook On Student Financial Aid To Faculty Advisors And Other Key Professional Staff. Financial Aid Presentation Through Staff Development Sessions

Result: Partially complete Handbooks were distributed Financial aid presentation is on financial aid website Have not yet delivered staff development presentation Remains an action item: 2009-2010 Counselor and Mentor’s

Handbook is ready for delivery to Faculty Advisors and key professional staff

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9. Utilize Hobson’s Contact Management Software To Identify Current And Prospective Student Inquires About Financial Aid. Develop A Message From The Financial Aid Office To Respond To These Inquires

Result: Complete

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10. Establish A Separate Books And Supplies Program For late Filing Applicants For Financial Assistance Who Have Not Yet Been Awarded Federal Funds. Enables These Individuals Who Are “At Risk” To Obtain Their Essential Books And Supplies To Begin Their Semester. Reduces Barriers To Early Class Participation In Their Courses.

Result: Complete Fall semester: 65 students; $ 29,068 Authorized Spring semester: 0 This is positive in that more students are

receiving Pell Grants and Loans and do not need to use this alternative

Remains an action item10

11. Recommend Schedule Adjustment To Academic Division Tuition Waiver Program To Award For The Academic Year Rather Than Semester By Semester.

Result: Dropped Most waivers are awarded and on student

accounts prior to payment due date published by the Bursar

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12. Measurable Change Increase the number of AtD Cohort

students who file the FAFSA for Fall 2008 by six percentage points over the Fall 2007 Cohort

Result: Seven percentage points increase Fall 2007 to Fall 2008

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13. Measurable Change Increase the number of AtD Cohort

students awarded and having financial aid on their Bursar account prior to the beginning of Fall semester 2008 by three percentage points over the Fall 2007 Cohort

Result:

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15. Measurable Change Assess the academic success rate for financial

aid recipients in the Fall 2008 AtD Cohort having and EFC of $1,500 or less compared to the academic success rate of the Fall 2007 Cohort having and EFC of $1,500 or less

Result: Success defined as a grade A,B,C,S.

Fall 2007 success rate

Fall 2008 success rate

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Year Two Strategies

Continue action items from year one Strategies to increase the number of FAFSA

filings for Fall 2009 and number of applicants awarded

Increase FAFSA filing for Fall 2009 by five percentage points over Fall 2008

Increase number of awarded students with available funds on the Bursar account prior to start of Fall semester 2009 by three percentage points over Fall semester 2008

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1. Conduct Outreach Activities Focused On Community Based Agencies Serving Adults And Families

Collaborate with recruitment office to hold a seminar for agencies to include: Recruitment, Financial Aid, Veterans Services, Advising and Academic Representatives

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2. Conduct A Financial Aid Event For Current Students To Encourage Early Filing Of The FAFSA And An Opportunity To Provide General Financial Aid Information

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3. Enhance Financial Aid And Veterans Services Website To Update For 2009-2010 Academic Year And To Update For Changes In Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) And New G.I. Bill

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4. Organize Financial Aid Operation To Expand The Number Of Time Full Time Staff Working The Front Counter Providing Direct Service

5. Develop A Professionally Oriented Student Loan And Financial Literacy Service To Accommodate Continued Growth In The Number Of Student Loans And Federal Initiatives In Support Of Financial Literacy Services. Hire A Full Time Coordinator

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6. Utilize Early Contact With May 2009 High School Graduates Who Are Eligible For The Oklahoma Promise Program To Encourage Completion Of The FAFSA For The 2009-2010 Academic Year

7. Contact Concurrently Enrolled High School Seniors To Encourage Early FAFSA Filing And Enrollment At OCCC After Graduation

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8. Insure Financial Aid And Veterans Services Website Is Prominently Identified On College Homepage To Enhance Awareness Of Financial Assistance Opportunities For Prospective And Current Students

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9. Continue To Improve Financial Aid Processes Such As Work Flow And Online Forms By Use Of Technology In Collaboration With Enrollment And Student Services, Director Of E-Services

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10. Insure Financial Aid Information Available On Its Website And In Key College Documents, I.E., Catalog Clearly Explains Costs Of Attendance And Impact Of Financial Aid To Reduce Cost To Families: “Net Cost”

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