This research explores the competencies that financial aid officers need to be successful in their jobs. A survey of 30 competencies was distributed to 508 financial aid officers in the Western United States. Respondents were asked to rate 30 job competencies for their relative importance and frequency of use. Using exploratory factor analysis,…

Financial aid programs are supposed to improve access and affordability in higher education (Gillen, 2009). The effectiveness of these programs is increasingly being questioned as college attainment figures stagnate and the financial burden on students and families continues to climb year after year. The purpose of this study was to examine the…

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) recently conducted a survey on the 2009-10 award year Administrative Cost Allowances (ACA), which are funds used by colleges and universities to support operations and professional development. Specifically, ACA is often used in essential areas that support the day-to-day…

The majority of college financial aid offices have seen cuts to their operating budgets this year compared to the 2007-08 academic year when the recession began, according to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrator's latest QuickScan Survey. Sixty-two percent of financial aid offices reported operating budget cuts this year…

This year, more students are applying and qualifying for need-based financial aid and more financial aid offices are being asked to reassess financial aid packages to reflect recent changes to families' financial situations, according to a recent survey by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. "This survey…

More than three-quarters of postsecondary institutions (79 percent) would prefer expanding the current Perkins Loan program rather than replacing it with the Direct Perkins Loan program being proposed in Congress, according to a recent survey of NASFAA-member schools. In fact, increasing unsubsidized Stafford Loan limits (80 percent) and lowering…

More than three in four college financial aid offices reported an increase in the number of cases where they must verify information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), according to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators' (NASFAA's) latest Quick-Scan Survey. The increase in the number of verification…

In what kind of job environment are financial aid administrators (FAA) currently working? How satisfied are they with their jobs? What motivates them and what factors are considered morale dampers? How are financial aid (FA) functions viewed by campus' top administrators? Does FA get similar respect and appreciation from their campus peer offices…

Despite a decade of simplification efforts, students and families are often still baffled by the student aid process and cringe at the sight of financial aid application forms. Contrary to its purpose of helping students to access college, the student aid application process causes families frustration and confusion that has been cited as an…

This report first describes the aid application procedures aid administrators used to determine award eligibility, and the use of professional judgment to adjust students' aid application data. Next, the report describes the number of students who received financial aid, the funding and distribution of institutional scholarships, and student loan…

A survey designed to identify financial aid administration strengths and weaknesses specific to New York is summarized. Survey questions focused on the work environment and the training needs of the state's financial aid community. Results cover profile of respondents, training needs, salaries, job-related characteristics, conferences attended,…

A survey of financial aid directors at all two-year colleges in four states measured differences between the administrators' desired and actual role functions. Analysis and implications of the results are presented. (MSE)

Little research has been done in relationship to non-faculty and non-student populations in higher educational settings. An investigation of the attitudes and perceived problems of financial aid directors in universities is described. A questionnaire sent to U.S. financial aid directors is discussed. (MLW)

A survey designed to obtain University of Oklahoma students' views of the Financial Aid Office as a student service, their knowledge of financial aid programs, and their suggestions of ways to improve existing services is discussed. The survey showed that improved education regarding financial aid programs and services is needed. (MLW)

A survey of the Western Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators regional financial aid offices taken in 1985 is discussed. It shows wide variations in the demographic characteristics and backgrounds of student financial aid office employees, chiefly by job level. (Author/MLW)