Financial Aid processes both federal and state financial aid for students. The office also administers the college work-study program, the BOGG program and the Federal Perkins Loan Program, and processes both campus and outside scholarships. Financial Aid employees assist students with completing Financial Aid applications. In recent years, the availability of new technology has allowed the office to work towards a more efficient, paperless process. However, with the introduction of the compressed calendar, more students have requested more services from the department than ever before. The office has seen a significant increase in student contact, and even added service hours on Saturdays to help satisfy demand.

Personnel - Of 14 full-time classified positions approved, two positions in the Financial Aid office remain vacant. At this time 12 full-time classified employees and three student employees work in the department.

Equipment - The office has 16 computers, a copier, a scanner, a fax machine, and a typewriter. The copier needs to be replaced.

Facilities -The office space is currently too small, with inadequate ventilation; the heating and cooling system needs to be replaced. There is a lack of privacy for meetings between staff and students. There is little storage space and no room for future expansion. Partitions or security windows are needed at the front counter, and window blinds need to be replaced.

Future Program

With the expected increase in student enrollment, an expected increase in students applying for financial aid, and the introduction of more vocational and educational programs, the Financial Aid office will need to expand its services in the coming years. The department expects to increase at the same rate as overall college enrollment, both in the mid term (five years) and in the long term (ten years).

Personnel - See Projected Faculty and Staff Needs.

Equipment - Within the next five years, a copier, printers, computers and software will need to be replaced, and new furniture and computers for additional staff members will be required.

Facilities - The Financial Aid office should be located near other Student Service offices. As employees are added, more room will be needed for offices, work space, storage space and meeting and interview rooms. A larger waiting area and a work station for students to use when completing financial aid applications are needed. The office should be able to accommodate students with disabilities.

Staff Development - Classes and training workshops related to the following topics would be valuable: working with difficult students, phone etiquette and advanced computer software applications An annual Student Services retreat for employees would be welcome.