Evolving Financial Aid Policy: A Brighter Future Ahead

1. SAP: So Far, So Good… Evelynne Blatt Director of Financial Aid, Union County College Heather Keith Director of Counseling, Union County College

2. PastLong Standing Policy • Quantitative • Based on proration of semesters attempted or completed (show policy on slide) • 18 credits semester was considered 1 FT while a student who took 6 credits for 3 semesters was considered 1.5 FT • Qualitative standard (GAP) was calculated after 3 full time equivalent semesters • Could be 36 credits if student took 2 18 credit semesters • Did not address programs less than two years in length • Maximum Timeframe • Did not exclude ESL courses (ESL series is up to 72 credits) so students would max out and appeal every year after their ESL courses

3. PastPolicy Changes 09-10 • Quantitative • Based on credits attempted and completed • Benchmarked so that newer students had lower standards • Qualitative • Benchmarked so that newer students had lower standards • Begins at 13 credits to address shorter programs • Maximum Timeframe • Excludes ESL

4. PastLong Standing Appeals Process • Appeals reviewed by committee that didn’t meet. Members from 3 campuses. Appeals had to be copied and interoffice to each member. Process took up to 4 weeks. • Committee did not take into account prior appeals • Committee “meeting dates” were provided to students but dates did not extend through appeal deadline • Appeals approved for whole year

5. PastAppeals Process Change 09-10 • Appeals reviewed by Assistant Director and Director of Financial Aid • Required student to compose a letter • Appeal Guidelines provided (show guidelines on slide) • Required extenuating circumstances • Required a plan • Not approved if poor performance after prior appeal • Appeals approved for whole year

6. Present - Policy • Changes to accommodate new regulations • Warning school now, so we review each semester • Not approving appeals if won’t graduate within 150% • Policy (click it)

7. Present – Appeal Policy • Appeals approved for 1 semester only • Students must submit a plan (all students and why) – meet with Counselor • Appeal Agreement Required (copy for slide and why)

8. SAP Appeal Guidelines • How to Appeal (click it) • Identification • Reason for the Letter • Facts of the situation • Extenuating circumstances • Supporting documentation • Corrective active • Signature

9. SAP Appeal Agreement • Agree to an understanding of the process (click it) • Appeal process • Plan process • Keep on the plan • Signature tear off

10. Future – Policy Changes • No Federally Required Changes Pending • Changes based on experience…

11. Future – Appeals Process Changes • Add programming requirements to plan (workshops – available online as needed) • Assign and track attendance in ALC • Assign Academic Counselors

12. Resources • www.ucc.edu • Click on “Becoming a Student” • Click on “Paying for College” • Click on “Forms” • SAP Policy • SAP Guidelines • SAP Appeal Agreement • www.ucc.edu • Click on “Becoming a Student” • Click on “Counseling”