SACS Reaffirmation
| Objective | Enhance Student Service | |
| Provide information and assistance to students and parents regarding aid program availability, the application process and applicant rights and responsibilities Associated Goals: Provide Financial Assistance To University Students, Regulatory Compliance |
| Indicator | Banner Conversion Prepare for financial aid management software conversion from SCT Plus to Banner |
| Criteria | Banner Conversion Preparations Begin preparations for identifying areas of concern through the migration and implementation process |
| Finding | Software Conversion Preparations Documentation of existing functionality required after conversion is in progress, process will be ongoing throughout conversion project |
| Criteria | Banner Software Training Banner Training in preparation for data migration and implementation |
| Finding | Banner Training Schedule Banner software is to be implemented for the academic year 2009-2010; implementation team training will begin in early 2008 |
| Indicator | E-Signature Implement e-signature availability for student use on University documents |
| Criteria | Semester Loan E-signature Implementation of the e-signature capability within the semester loan program |
| Finding | Use of E-signature in Semester Loan Process Implementation and use of the e-signature functionality has been successful |
| Indicator | Peer Counseling Offer peer counseling to assist student with the financial aid process including but not limited to technological access to applications and award offers |
| Criteria | Peer Counselor To hire and maintain at least one peer counselor position in the aid office |
| Finding | Peer Counselor Utilized Successfully The service available through a Peer Counselor meets a need student applicants have with one-on-one assistance with assistance through steps in the aid application process |
| Indicator | Staff Training Seek and take advantage of training opportunities offered within the financial aid industry |
| Criteria | Attendance of TG Conference Workshops Staff member attendence of conference workshops |
| Finding | Industry Workshops and Conference Participation Contacts made with industry colleagues provide a valuable resource |
| Criteria | Higher Education Reconciliation Act (HERA) Training Attendance of Department of Education HERA Training |
| Finding | Industry Workshops and Conference Participation Staff participation in industry workshops and conferences provided training and development tools for application in aid office operations |
| Action | Student Employee Training Seek and train student employees who have communication abilities and a desire to help others through the financial aid process |
| Action | Utilization of E-signature in Semester Loan Area E-signature is fully implemented and is successfully utilized by students |
| Objective | Enhance Technology | |
| Improved the technology necessary to process, maintain and report financial aid Associated Goals: Provide Financial Assistance To University Students, Regulatory Compliance |
| Indicator | Banner Conversion Prepare for financial aid management software conversion from SCT Plus to Banner |
| Criteria | Banner Conversion Preparations Begin preparations for identifying areas of concern through the migration and implementation process |
| Finding | Software Conversion Preparations Documentation of existing functionality required after conversion is in progress, process will be ongoing throughout conversion project |
| Criteria | Banner Software Training Banner Training in preparation for data migration and implementation |
| Finding | Banner Training Schedule Banner software is to be implemented for the academic year 2009-2010; implementation team training will begin in early 2008 |
| Action | Banner Training Schedule Banner implementation team training schedule has been completed; adjustments may be needed along the way |
| Action | Prepare for Conversion Continue to prepare list of necessary functionality that will need to be integrated or implemented upon and within the software conversion process |
| Objective | Promote Staff Development | |
| Provide all elements required to train and maintain staff sufficient to provide accurate and complete assistance to students, parents, campus departments and the community Associated Goals: Provide Financial Assistance To University Students, Regulatory Compliance |
| Indicator | Job Procedures Maintain job procedures sufficient to assist in employee training and daily operations |
| Criteria | Code of Federal Regulations Availability of the Code of Federal Regulations for all employee levels for guidance with the administration of federal aid programs |
| Finding | Published Regulations and Handbook Available The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is available for use through the internet and is downloadable use utilization in either format for all staff members |
| Criteria | Federal Student Aid Handbook Availability of the Federal Student Aid Handbook to all staff members to use a guidance in the administration of financial aid |
| Finding | Availability of the Federal Student Handbooks The Federal Student Aid Handbooks for current and recent years are available for use through an aid industry internet website and are downloadable use utilization in either format for all staff members |
| Criteria | Procedures Manual Availability of a current procedures manual on-line or in printed form for staff use |
| Finding | Procedures Manual Available A procedures manual for daily operations is available to all staff members; rapid technological changes require the manual to be regularly updated |
| Indicator | Staff Training Seek and take advantage of training opportunities offered within the financial aid industry |
| Criteria | Attendance of TG Conference Workshops Staff member attendence of conference workshops |
| Finding | Industry Workshops and Conference Participation Contacts made with industry colleagues provide a valuable resource |
| Criteria | Higher Education Reconciliation Act (HERA) Training Attendance of Department of Education HERA Training |
| Finding | Industry Workshops and Conference Participation Staff participation in industry workshops and conferences provided training and development tools for application in aid office operations |
| Action | Continue Participation in External Training Continue and expand participation in industry training, workshops and conferences |
| Action | Periodically Update Manual Periodic reviews and updates must be performed due to technological and regulatory enhancements |
| Action | Utilization Federal Student Aid Handbook Utilization of the industry website, IFAP, as the source to access the Federal Student Aid Handbooks; references to CFR regulation codes by number are provide for further instructional material |
| Action | Utilization of Federal Regulations The Code of Federal Regulations is to be use to update and establish policies and procedures for aid administration; internet access to Code ensures utilization of must current regulations |
| Objective | Enhance Student Service | |
| Provide information and assistance to students and parents regarding aid program availability, the application process and applicant rights and responsibilities Associated Goals: Provide Financial Assistance To University Students, Regulatory Compliance |
| Indicator | Banner Conversion Prepare for financial aid management software conversion from SCT Plus to Banner |
| Criteria | Banner Conversion Preparations Begin preparations for identifying areas of concern through the migration and implementation process |
| Finding | Software Conversion Preparations Documentation of existing functionality required after conversion is in progress, process will be ongoing throughout conversion project |
| Criteria | Banner Software Training Banner Training in preparation for data migration and implementation |
| Finding | Banner Training Schedule Banner software is to be implemented for the academic year 2009-2010; implementation team training will begin in early 2008 |
| Indicator | E-Signature Implement e-signature availability for student use on University documents |
| Criteria | Semester Loan E-signature Implementation of the e-signature capability within the semester loan program |
| Finding | Use of E-signature in Semester Loan Process Implementation and use of the e-signature functionality has been successful |
| Indicator | Peer Counseling Offer peer counseling to assist student with the financial aid process including but not limited to technological access to applications and award offers |
| Criteria | Peer Counselor To hire and maintain at least one peer counselor position in the aid office |
| Finding | Peer Counselor Utilized Successfully The service available through a Peer Counselor meets a need student applicants have with one-on-one assistance with assistance through steps in the aid application process |
| Indicator | Staff Training Seek and take advantage of training opportunities offered within the financial aid industry |
| Criteria | Attendance of TG Conference Workshops Staff member attendence of conference workshops |
| Finding | Industry Workshops and Conference Participation Contacts made with industry colleagues provide a valuable resource |
| Criteria | Higher Education Reconciliation Act (HERA) Training Attendance of Department of Education HERA Training |
| Finding | Industry Workshops and Conference Participation Staff participation in industry workshops and conferences provided training and development tools for application in aid office operations |
| Action | Student Employee Training Seek and train student employees who have communication abilities and a desire to help others through the financial aid process |
| Action | Utilization of E-signature in Semester Loan Area E-signature is fully implemented and is successfully utilized by students |
| Objective | Enhance Technology | |
| Improved the technology necessary to process, maintain and report financial aid Associated Goals: Provide Financial Assistance To University Students, Regulatory Compliance |
| Indicator | Banner Conversion Prepare for financial aid management software conversion from SCT Plus to Banner |
| Criteria | Banner Conversion Preparations Begin preparations for identifying areas of concern through the migration and implementation process |
| Finding | Software Conversion Preparations Documentation of existing functionality required after conversion is in progress, process will be ongoing throughout conversion project |
| Criteria | Banner Software Training Banner Training in preparation for data migration and implementation |
| Finding | Banner Training Schedule Banner software is to be implemented for the academic year 2009-2010; implementation team training will begin in early 2008 |
| Action | Banner Training Schedule Banner implementation team training schedule has been completed; adjustments may be needed along the way |
| Action | Prepare for Conversion Continue to prepare list of necessary functionality that will need to be integrated or implemented upon and within the software conversion process |
| Objective | Perform Regulatory Reporting | |
| Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of federal, state and local reporting Associated Goals: Regulatory Compliance |
| Indicator | Federal And State Reporting Satisfy federal and state reporting requirement such as but not limited to the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate and the Coordinating Board's FAD Report |
| Criteria | Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) Successful completion of annual the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) |
| Finding | FISAP Report Completed FISAP report submitted successfully |
| Criteria | State Fund Reporting Report annual expenditures of state aid program, Texas Work-Study, LEAP, SLEAP and 5th Year Accounting |
| Finding | State Fund Expenditure Report Completed Reporting of state fund expenditures was successfully completed |
| Criteria | TEXAS Grant Year-End Report To report to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board the report activities for award details of the TEXAS Grant program |
| Finding | TEXAS Grant Report Completed Successful submission of the TEXAS Grant Report |
| Indicator | Staff Training Seek and take advantage of training opportunities offered within the financial aid industry |
| Criteria | Attendance of TG Conference Workshops Staff member attendence of conference workshops |
| Finding | Industry Workshops and Conference Participation Contacts made with industry colleagues provide a valuable resource |
| Criteria | Higher Education Reconciliation Act (HERA) Training Attendance of Department of Education HERA Training |
| Finding | Industry Workshops and Conference Participation Staff participation in industry workshops and conferences provided training and development tools for application in aid office operations |
| Action | Annual Submission of FISAP Report Meet the FISAP report requirements annually |
| Action | Annual Submission of TEXAS Grant Report Meet reporting requirement annually |
| Action | Meet State Funds Reporting Requirement Meet the requirement of reporting state fund expenditures annually |
| Objective | Promote Staff Development | |
| Provide all elements required to train and maintain staff sufficient to provide accurate and complete assistance to students, parents, campus departments and the community Associated Goals: Provide Financial Assistance To University Students, Regulatory Compliance |
| Indicator | Job Procedures Maintain job procedures sufficient to assist in employee training and daily operations |
| Criteria | Code of Federal Regulations Availability of the Code of Federal Regulations for all employee levels for guidance with the administration of federal aid programs |
| Finding | Published Regulations and Handbook Available The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is available for use through the internet and is downloadable use utilization in either format for all staff members |
| Criteria | Federal Student Aid Handbook Availability of the Federal Student Aid Handbook to all staff members to use a guidance in the administration of financial aid |
| Finding | Availability of the Federal Student Handbooks The Federal Student Aid Handbooks for current and recent years are available for use through an aid industry internet website and are downloadable use utilization in either format for all staff members |
| Criteria | Procedures Manual Availability of a current procedures manual on-line or in printed form for staff use |
| Finding | Procedures Manual Available A procedures manual for daily operations is available to all staff members; rapid technological changes require the manual to be regularly updated |
| Indicator | Staff Training Seek and take advantage of training opportunities offered within the financial aid industry |
| Criteria | Attendance of TG Conference Workshops Staff member attendence of conference workshops |
| Finding | Industry Workshops and Conference Participation Contacts made with industry colleagues provide a valuable resource |
| Criteria | Higher Education Reconciliation Act (HERA) Training Attendance of Department of Education HERA Training |
| Finding | Industry Workshops and Conference Participation Staff participation in industry workshops and conferences provided training and development tools for application in aid office operations |
| Action | Continue Participation in External Training Continue and expand participation in industry training, workshops and conferences |
| Action | Periodically Update Manual Periodic reviews and updates must be performed due to technological and regulatory enhancements |
| Action | Utilization Federal Student Aid Handbook Utilization of the industry website, IFAP, as the source to access the Federal Student Aid Handbooks; references to CFR regulation codes by number are provide for further instructional material |
| Action | Utilization of Federal Regulations The Code of Federal Regulations is to be use to update and establish policies and procedures for aid administration; internet access to Code ensures utilization of must current regulations |