This document is the second in a series of "core curriculum" courses designed by Student Financial Assistance (SFA) "University," a training program for SFA employees. The one-day course traces the history of student financial assistance, describes what the SFA organization looks like today, and outlines the standards to which SFA must adhere to…

Offers suggestions for college admissions and financial aid officers on coping with job stress and managing burnout. These include: remember that it's usually not personal, a little paranoia is a good thing, don't hire difficult people, and accept not being able to do your best work on every task. (EV)

Provides multiple workable solutions financial aid offices can offer students throughout their college experience to deal with debt: preventive solutions for avoiding problems with credit card debt, holistic solutions for other related problems, and remedial solutions for existing problems. (EV)

A study of the factors related to job satisfaction among financial aid administrators suggests that how well the job fits the individual's expectations of employment accounts for job satisfaction best, regardless of intrinsic or extrinsic job orientation. Implications for the management of financial aid offices are examined. (MSE)

A survey of students at a Midwestern university revealed that, overall, most students agreed or strongly agreed that they were adequately informed about financial aid; that understanding various aspects of financial aid was important; and that they received clear guidance to help resolve their problems or answer their questions by staff who served…

Building on results of a study of chronic stressors in financial aid offices, 5 focus groups composed of financial aid officers identified specific, feasible, and effective countermeasures aimed at the 11 most critical stressors. The resulting countermeasures are presented and explained. (MSE)

This monograph provides guidance to financial aid administrators in navigating the waters of computer systems selection and implementation. It outlines the various areas where aid officers rely on computer assistance and discusses technology-driven personnel issues, institution-wide system integration, and emerging technologies that will affect…

In an effort to provide more detailed information than had been provided by previous surveys of student satisfaction, the Office of Research and Planning at Nova Southeastern University used a localized survey to focus on a variety of task and process issues of importance to the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Surveys were mailed to 1,1050…

In a personal reminiscence, a financial aid officer describes the initiation into a profession proliferated by paperwork and jargon. Comparisons are made between experiences in a small college and an urban university. (LBH)

The Survey of Undergraduate Financial Aid Policies, Practices, and Procedures gathered information on median annual salary levels for chief financial aid administrators in 1999-2000. Among detailed findings, the survey concluded that men still have higher salaries than women. (EV)

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…

There is no constituency that is as demanding as the higher education constituency, the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education suggests. Continuous communication with legislators is urged and the importance of student aid officers is emphasized. (MLW)

This special section contains four articles on using technology to improve student financial aid services: (1) "The Technology Pyramid" (advice on the transition from paper to paperless systems); (2) "Strengthening Our Security"; (3) "COD: Moving toward a Universal Delivery System" (about the government's new Common Origin and Disbursement…

Drawing on results of a Florida project, it is argued that statewide evaluation of college student financial aid programs, involving institutional aid officers, system-level administrators, and others may promote change beneficial to students and administrators. Emphasis is on the role institutional aid administrators can play in such a…

The many changes that have taken place in the college student financial aid system in recent years have necessitated a series of operational and programmatic adjustments for financial aid administrators and their offices. Changes include increased aid availability, complexity of student circumstances, and regulation. Even greater program…