FINANCING YOUR HIGHER EDUCATION

Download Report

Transcript FINANCING YOUR HIGHER EDUCATION

Application Standardization
Georgia Student Financial Aid
Application System
(GSFAPPS)
Spring GASFAA Conference
05/12/05
Slide 1 of 34
GSFAPPS Introduction

Primary Means of applying for State Programs
administered by GSFC
– Scholarships & Grants
– Non FFELP Service Cancelable Loans

FFELP Loans are not part of GSFAPPS

Replaces multiple paper-based and e-HOPE/
e-TEG applications
– 24 separate applications/renewal applications
– Multiple deadline dates
05/12/05
Slide 2 of 34
GSFAPPS Introduction (cont.)

Applicable to the following State Programs
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
05/12/05
Accel
Charles McDaniel Teacher Scholarship
Georgia Military College State Service Scholarship
Georgia National Guard Service Loan
Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant
Governor’s Scholarship
HOPE Scholarship/HOPE Grant
HOPE Teacher Scholarship Loan
Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant
North Georgia College & State University ROTC Grant
North Georgia College and State University Military Scholarship
Promise Teacher Scholarship Loan
Public Safety Memorial Grant
Registered Nurse Service Cancelable Loan
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship
Scholarship for Engineering Education (SEE) Loan
Slide 3 of 34
GSFAPPS Considerations
Key Considerations

Electronic interface

Security

Accuracy

Reduce number of redundant applications

Positive feedback
05/12/05
Slide 4 of 34
GSFAPPS Features
Key Features

Web-based, with option to print a paper
application

Real-time, on-line edits of application data

Pre-populate fields where possible

Ability to suspend application and return
05/12/05
Slide 5 of 34
GSFAPPS Features (cont.)
Key Features (continued)

Branches to obtain program unique data

Built-in HELP throughout

Ability to review application and print

Provides a list of follow-up documents

Email confirmations and notifications
05/12/05
Slide 6 of 34
GSFAPPS Features (cont.)
Key Features (continued)
Ex: “Pre-populate fields where possible”

If applicant has already completed FAFSA
– GSFAPPS will pre-fill relevant data fields
– If applying for only a HOPE Scholarship,
GSFAPPS will inform Applicant no further
application is necessary unless directed
otherwise by your Financial Aid Office
05/12/05
Slide 7 of 34
GSFAPPS Benefits

Simplify and standardize
– Application Forms
– Submittal dates

Centralize many eligibility checks at GSFC
– GSFC to create eligibility certification process
– Schools only certify relative to:

05/12/05
Enrollment, course load, curriculum, GPA, hours
attempted, residency, etc.
Slide 8 of 34
GSFAPPS Benefits (cont.)
How will GSFAPPS make the process better for
Students?


Simplify and standardize the application
Offers applicant choice of electronic or paper
process

Pre-fills available data

Provides HELP menu and instant edits

Confirmation of receipt
05/12/05
Slide 9 of 34
GSFAPPS Benefits (cont.)
How will GSFAPPS enhance processing
for the Schools?



Centralize many eligibility checks at GSFC
Provide schools with application/eligibility
data in a more efficient manner
Reduce the extent of Compliance Reviews/
Audits
05/12/05
Slide 10 of 34
GSFAPPS Benefits (cont.)
How will GSFAPPS support compliance
with State regulations?

Conducts eligibility checks on all applications

Provides electronic audit trail
05/12/05
Slide 11 of 34
GSFAPPS Implementation

Conducting Working Group Sessions
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Deborah Barbone – No. Georgia Col & State University
Janis Bowles – Columbus State University
Jean Dobson – Emory University
Jenelle Handcox – Abraham-Baldwin Agricultural College
Lenora Jackson – Spelman College
Susan Little – University of Georgia
Rich Loftus – University System of Georgia
Andy Parsons – Dept of Technical & Adult Education
Pennie Strong – Central Georgia Technical College
Vincent Walters – Gwinnett Technical College
Robin Winston – DeVry University
Careful design & testing
05/12/05
Slide 12 of 34
GSFAPPS Implementation

(cont)
Will be conducting state-wide
implementation workshops

Implement for “new” (first-time) applicants

Current recipients “grand-fathered”

Current application processes are still
available
05/12/05
Slide 13 of 34
GSFAPPS Implementation (cont)
Communication & Training




April :
May:
June:
June – Oct:
USG Conference
Demo to GSFC Staff & Working
Group
GASFAA Conference
On Going Activities:
- GSFC Newsletter
- GACollege411 Activities
- GSFC Web Site

July:
05/12/05
Student Focus Groups
Slide 14 of 34
GSFAPPS Implementation (cont)
Communication & Training (cont)

August:
System Training for GSFC Staff
FAO, DTAE and Peer Group Conference

Sept:
Half-day Workshops (proposed)
(Savannah, Macon, Albany, Dalton, Atlanta)
GSFC Mailing to Schools (H.S.’s & Colleges)
PROBE Counselor Workshops
PROBE Student Fairs

October:
05/12/05
Implementation & Press-release
Slide 15 of 34
GSFAPPS Implementation (cont)
Communication & Training (cont)

GSFAPPS web page at GSFC.org

On-going FAQ’s on GSFC Web Site

E-mailed questions added to FAQ’s

Presentation on Web Site
05/12/05
Slide 16 of 34
Using GSFAPPS
Applicant

Access GSFAPPS as a registered user
of www.GACollege411.org
05/12/05
Slide 17 of 34
Log In
05/12/05
Slide 18 of 34
To Use GSFAPPS (cont.)
Applicant


www.GACollege411.com provides the
link to GSFAPPS
Follow on-line instructions
05/12/05
Slide 19 of 34
Program Description
05/12/05
Slide 20 of 34
To Use GSFAPPS (cont.)
Applicant


Placing the cursor on a specific Program
displays a description of that Program
As an example, selecting the HOPE
Scholarship Program would display a screen
similar to the next slide
05/12/05
Slide 21 of 34
Program Description
05/12/05
Slide 22 of 34
To Use GSFAPPS (cont.)
Applicant


After viewing the Program description, if the
Program is selected (clicked) for application,
GSFAPPS will present the Program requirements
Using the HOPE Teacher SC Loan as an example,
the Program requirements will look similar to the
screen on the next slide
05/12/05
Slide 23 of 34
Program Requirements
05/12/05
Slide 24 of 34
To Use GSFAPPS (cont.)
Applicant


Complete remainder of Application by
following on-line instructions
Must complete every field to proceed to
next screen
05/12/05
Slide 25 of 34
Application Entry
05/12/05
Slide 26 of 34
Application Entry
05/12/05
Slide 27 of 34
To Use GSFAPPS (cont.)
Applicant

Once all questions have been answered, the
completed Application is presented

Applicant has three options:
- Edit
- Print
- Submit
05/12/05
Slide 28 of 34
To Use GSFAPPS (cont.)
05/12/05
Slide 29 of 34
To Use GSFAPPS (cont.)
Applicant


Upon submission, GSFAPPS will inform Applicant
about receiving confirmation e-mail
If Program requires supplemental document,
Applicant will be instructed what to submit
05/12/05
Slide 30 of 34
To Use GSFAPPS (cont.)
05/12/05
Slide 31 of 34
To Use GSFAPPS
Colleges & Universities



Exchange data files via SURFER or update
student data on-line
Continue to certify required data
Certification reporting for HOPE funds via
submission of an invoice
05/12/05
Slide 32 of 34
Summary

Replaces multiple applications

Implement for “new” (first-time) applicants

Centralize many eligibility checks at GSFC

Primary Means of applying for financial aid

If FAFSA completed, no need to apply for HOPE thru GSFAPPS
(public college students)

Not the sole System for making application
05/12/05
Slide 33 of 34
Closing

Questions?

Thank you for your attention

Feedback: [email protected]

GSFC Contact: Bob Lahl
(770) 724-9058
[email protected]
05/12/05
Slide 34 of 34