Financial Aid and ScholarshipsAvatar Narration Script – Communication Plan

IntroductionHi, I’m Cat, and welcome to your financial aid page. This is going to be the best place to find out information regarding financial aid! For example, to view any missing items you need to complete your financial aid file, click on [avatar points to its right] Eligibility. To view and accept your current financial aid awards, select Awards. I’ll see you around.

QUAL:https://ssbqa.udc.txstate.edu/qual/twbkwbis.P_GenMenu?name=bmenu.P_FinAidMainMnu

PROD:https://ssb.txstate.edu/prod/twbkwbis.P_GenMenu?name=bmenu.P_FinAidMainMnu

Awards - GeneralOkay. So, this is your awards page. This checklist [avatar points right] provides you with your current file status. From this checklist, you can determine what actions you need to take to be awarded or to receive the aid you’ve already been offered.

Before you can accept your financial aid, you need to complete 2 different items: your Terms and Conditions [avatar points up] and Resources/Additional Information [end pointing up]. Once you’ve completed those, you can go ahead and accept or reject each award.

QUAL:https://ssbqa.udc.txstate.edu/qual/bwrkrhst.P_DispAwdAidYearorhttps://ssbqa.udc.txstate.edu/qual/bwrkrhst.P_DisplayTabs?tab_type=GI

PROD:https://ssb.txstate.edu/prod/bwrkrhst.P_DispAwdAidYearor https://ssb.txstate.edu/prod/bwrkrhst.P_DisplayTabs?tab_type=GI

Accept Award OffersHey, again. Any aid on this page has been offered to you to help pay for your educational costs. The type and amount of each award is based on the information you provided on your FAFSA.

Here is something very important to remember. If you’ve been offered a student loan, you need to make sure you’ve done a budget and know how much you’re going to

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need. You never want to borrow more than you need, because you’ll eventually have to pay it back. If you need less than the amount that’s offered to you, just enter that lower amount and accept it.

Be sure to click any of the awards that are hyperlinked. That way you can get more info.

QUAL:https://ssbqa.udc.txstate.edu/qual/bwrkrhst.P_DisplayTabs?tab_type=AA

PROD:https://ssb.txstate.edu/prod/bwrkrhst.P_DisplayTabs?tab_type=AA

Eligibility RequirementsOh, hey! You need to be sure to complete any items listed on this page. That way your financial aid file will be complete. Any instructions on how to satisfy the requirement [avatar points to the right] are found just below the item. Make sure to check this page on a regular basis because sometimes items may get added at a later date. Once you submit this information, it typically takes our office 3 to 5 business days to process; sometimes longer during our peak seasons.

Also, be proactive and check your Academic Progress tab [avatar points up]. The page will let you know [end pointing] if you’re meeting specific federal academic requirements for financial aid eligibility.

Eligibility - Academic ProgressHey! In case you don’t already know, the federal government requires that all students meet certain academic eligibility requirements to continue to be eligible for aid. The requirements are that you meet a certain minimum Texas State GPA, a 67% overall course completion rate (including transfer hours), and that you don’t attempt too many hours for your degree.

While this page lets you know if you’re meeting the academic progress requirements for aid, you want to be sure to check out the specific academic requirements that you need to meet now and in the future. To familiarize yourself with them, go to financial aid dot t x state dot e d u. From there look for the Undergraduate or Graduate Aid dropdown tabs and click on Maintain My Eligibility. Knowing this info will help you keep your aid.

QUAL:https://ssbqa.udc.txstate.edu/qual/bwrkelig.P_DisplayTabs?tab_type=EA

PROD:https://ssb.txstate.edu/prod/bwrkelig.P_DisplayTabs?tab_type=EA

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Terms and ConditionsAll right, I’ll admit this page may be long, but it’s very important. I can’t tell you how many students have told me they wished they’d really read this page before clicking Submit.

When you click Submit, you’re officially stating that you understand and agree to every statement on this page. For example, you’re asserting you will maintain a certain enrollment status for aid eligibility, and that you understand the circumstances under which you may have to repay your aid.

These are just a few examples of what you’re confirming you understand about your financial aid responsibilities when you click Submit. So please, be sure to read everything so you’re not surprised later on.

QUAL:https://ssbtst.udc.txstate.edu:8020/trng/bwrkrhst.P_DisplayTabs?tab_type=TC

PROD:

Resources and Additional InformationSo, I bet you have questions about this page. Most students do. Just click on the menu [avatar points up and to its right] for the question you’d like me to help you with.

Menu Option - AuthorizationThis is an important one. The Authorization for Non-Standard Charges question is just asking if you want your federal aid to pay for charges on you bill other than tuition, fees, room and board. If you do, just answer Yes. If not, answer No, and you can just pay the other types of charges with cash, check or credit card. Be sure to make payment on these other charges by the appropriate deadline, so you’re not charged a late fee.

Menu Option – EnrollmentAll right! Let’s talk about the Enrollment Status Question.

Here, we just need to know your planned enrollment for the period that you’ve been awarded financial aid. If you’ll be enrolled full time, just click Yes. If not, click No, and we’ll post an Enrollment Change Form to your Eligibility Requirements page within one business day. From the Eligibility Requirements page, you can access the Enrollment Change Form. Once you submit it to our office, we’ll adjust your cost of attendance and financial aid as required by federal regulations.

This proactive step will ensure your aid is awarded and disbursed correctly. If you change your mind later, be sure to submit an Enrollment Change Form so your loans can be disbursed.

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Menu Option - ResourcesSo you want to know about the Any Additional Resources question. For this one, you just need to tell us about any tuition adjustments, such as Hazelwood or DARS, any non-Texas State University scholarships and any similar resources that you’ll be receiving to help with your school expenses. It’s important that you provide this information now, so you don’t have to repay federal aid funds at a later date.

QUAL:https://ssbtst.udc.txstate.edu:8020/trng/bwrkrhst.P_DisplayTabs?tab_type=AI

PROD:

Loan HistoryWelcome to your Loan History page. If you’ve borrowed federal student loans to help pay for your college education, the total amount [avatar points down and to its right] that you’ve borrowed at Texas State or any other school is listed here. Above the total [avatar raises hand slightly] are the individual amounts you’ve borrowed in subsidized and unsubsidized loans that together make up your total.

As you probably remember from your loan counseling session, subsidized loans are interest free while you’re enrolled at least half time, and unsubsidized loans are not interest free. Your total loan amount may not include any recent federal student loans you’ve taken out or any private educational loans from a bank or similar lender. Be sure to keep track of how much you’ve borrowed since you’ll eventually need to repay these loans.

QUAL:https://ssbtst.udc.txstate.edu:8020/trng/bwrklhst.P_DispLoanHst

PROD:

Award HistoryOh, it’s good to see you made it here.

This page provides you with your financial aid award history at Texas State. It’s pretty straight forward information, but if you have any questions, please let us know. QUAL:https://ssbtst.udc.txstate.edu:8020/trng/bwrkrhst.P_DispAwdHst

PROD:

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Cost of AttendanceOkay, you want to be sure you understand your cost of attendance. The total cost of attendance or C-O-A [avatar points down and to its right] is the maximum amount of financial aid that you’re allowed to receive for the award period.

It doesn’t mean that’s what you’ll be billed for by the university. Instead, the actual direct costs that will be reflected on your student account are your tuition and fees. Other direct costs charged by the university will include your room and board, if you’re living on campus.

The other components that make up your COA, such as personal and travel expenses, are estimates of educationally-related expenses you may incur while attending school. These figures are included in your COA to allow you to receive financial aid for these costs. As with all the individual parts that comprise your COA, your actual expenses will depend on your enrolled hours, where you live, and your basic spending habits. QUAL:https://ssbtst.udc.txstate.edu:8020/trng/bwrkbudg.P_DispBudg?

PROD:

Award OverviewAll right! This page shows you an overview of your financial aid awards for the academic year. The type of awards you’ve been offered are listed under Fund [avatar points to its right]. You can click on any hyperlinked award name to get more detailed information about your award including what steps you may need to take to receive the funds, as well as any academic or other criteria you will need to meet now and in the future to be eligible for the award.

The Status column will indicate whether you’ve accepted the award. When you accept an award on the Accept Award Offer tab above [avatar points up for a moment], we will begin processing the award. Also displayed are the amounts that have been offered to you.

See you on another page [avatar wave good-bye].

QUAL:https://ssbtst.udc.txstate.edu:8020/trng/bwrkrhst.P_DisplayTabs?tab_type=AO

PROD:

Shopping SheetAs a Texas State Bobcat, we want you to be informed about your financial aid and some important information about our university. Your Texas State Shopping Sheet will

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help you compare our award offer and net price with those of other schools. It shows not just the aid we have offered you, minus any parent loan, but our university’s student loan default rate, median student loan debt, and graduation rates. With this tool, you can better compare us with other universities using their shopping sheets.

QUAL:https://ssbtst.udc.txstate.edu:8020/trng/bwrkshop.p_menu

PROD:

For Advertising on FA HomepageHi, I’m Kat. You can find me on your financial aid page on CatsWeb Self Service. Once you login, I’ll help you navigate the financial aid process so you can receive your aid as quickly as possible. See you on CatsWeb.

[Background will track the process of moving from the Texas State home page, to CatsWeb, to financial aid Self Service.]

Parent Proxy

Hi! I’m Kat. Welcome to Parent/Proxy, which will allow you to view your student’s Texas State information online. To get started, you just need to setup a new PIN. For help on the specific fields [avatar points to its right], just click on the menu item [avatar points to menu] you’d like me to assist you with.

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Menu Option 1 – Email AddressOkay, if you’re not sure which email address to enter, I can help. It’s the one where you received the email directing you to this page. Just enter that one, and you should be set.

Menu Option 2 – Old PINSo this can be a little confusing. In the field next to “Enter Old PIN”, enter the Action Password provided in your email. To make it easy, you can just copy and paste the Action Password from the email into this field.

Menu Option 3 – New PINAll right! Here, you just need to enter a new PIN. It can be from 8 to 20 characters, and can contain numbers and letters. Then type your new PIN a second time to validate it and click Save. For security purposes, we recommend not using a value that’s easy to guess; like your date of birth or phone number. Remember to record your PIN in a safe place in case you forget it.(Have Kat only appear once the first time, available subsequent visits.)

(Have Kat only appear once the first time, available subsequent visits.)Congratulations on setting up your new PIN. Before viewing your student’s information, you need to verify the information below that your student provided for you. Please make any corrections as necessary in the appropriate fields [avatar points to its right]. Your email address should be the same one where you received your email. We recommend that you not change your email address unless absolutely necessary, as this may affect your ability to access your student’s information.

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Menu Option 1- Updating Info LaterJust remember that you can update your information at any time by returning to this Profile tab. Also, you can change your PIN using the appropriate link near the top.

Menu Option 2 – Viewing Student InformationOkay. To view your student’s information, click on the tab [avatar points up] with their name on it. If you do not see your student’s name on a tab, they haven’t finished setting up your access. You may want to remind them to finish the setup.

To view the information you’ve been authorized to access by your student [avatar gestures to its right], use these links. Bear in mind that each link opens a new window. To return to this page, just click Exit at the top of the page you’re viewing.Remember, you’ll be viewing each page from your student’s perspective, so you may see me giving your student instructions. You won’t be able to take any actions like accepting financial aid awards or answering questions, but you’ll be able to view any actions they’ve completed.

When you are finished and want to exit Parent/Proxy, be sure to click the Profile tab above [avatar points up] and then select the Exit link at the top. This is the safest way to exit and make sure your student’s information is protected.

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Student Proxy

(Run once.)Hi, I’m Kat, and welcome to Parent/Proxy. You’re probably asking. . . what is Parent/Proxy? Well. it allows you to grant view-only access of your Self-Service information to your parents, spouse or other third party. These individuals are called proxies. You can set up anyone as a proxy as long as they have an email address. Once you do, they will be able to login and view only those pages you’ve selected for them. You can set up as many people as you’d like, and you can update their access at any time.

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Okay. To add a new Proxy, click the Add Proxy link at the bottom of the page. You’ll need to know your proxy’s first and last name and their email address. I’ll then send them an email with their login information and instructions on how to get started. If you’ve already set up a proxy and need to update their information, click the yellow triangle by their name to expand and edit their information.

(Run once)

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All right. So you want to set up your proxy now. Just enter your new proxy’s first and last name and a secure email address for them. Keep in mind that whoever has access to this email account will be able to view your information. When you’re finished, click the Add Proxy button. I’ll send your proxy an email with their login information, a link to the system, and instructions on how to get started.Next we’ll need to set up your proxy’s access and start/stop dates. So click the yellow triangle by their name.

Now you need to enter your relationship with your proxy. Just select a relationship type from the dropdown menu. If you’d like, you can also add a description for your proxy to help remind you who they are.We’ve provided suggested start and stop dates for your proxy’s access. You can edit these dates, but I recommend for security’s sake that you limit the access to no more than a year. Your proxy will only have access to your information for as long as you have access. So, if your PIN expires, your proxy will lose their access. This feature helps us keep your information as secure as possible!.

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Okay, we’re almost done. The Authorization tab allows you to restrict your proxy’s access. When your proxy logs in, they will only be able to view the pages you’ve selected for them here. Place a check mark by each page you want your proxy to see. Your proxy can only view the pages you select. They will not be able to update any of your information. You may choose to send your proxy an email that lists the authorized pages you’ve assigned to them by clicking the Email Authorizations icon to the right. Don’t forget, you can update the pages your proxy can view or revoke their access at any time.

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This is a great page. The History tab shows you each time your proxy has logged in to access your information. It also shows what pages they’ve viewed. The most recently accessed information is always listed first. Now you can easily check to see when your information is being visited by your proxy.

The Communication tab allows you to see the e-mail messages I’ve sent to your proxy. If your proxy deleted or missed a specific communication, it can be resent. Just click the “Resend” icon to the right of each communication you want me to resend. Some

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communications have a time limit, and this is indicated by the Action and Expiration Dates. If your proxy has not responded before the Expiration Date, you’ll need to resend the Account Created message in order to renew their access.

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