The Department of Education and the Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) Financial Aid Office is changing the way they do business with students. Maureen Amos, Associate Director of Financial Aid, explained these changes in a Town Hall meeting.Amos said that in October 2008, a consultant came to the Financial Aid office to advise the Financial Aid personnel on necessary changes to streamline the system. Kris Pierre from Student Affairs was involved in the process. “In Fall 2008, the consultant reviewed all of the Financial Aid procedures,” said Amos. “These changes were implemented at 2009.” The conclusion based on the review resulted in the removal of unnecessary procedures.These removed procedures involve several of the following:
-The complete removal of all reviews for all FAFSA applications as well as the NEIU Financial Aid application. The only reviews are reserved for applications that are selected for verification.-The elimination of the printing of documents including ISIRS; Financial Aid is to transfer the system to an electronic online system.-The replacement of the current student financial awarding process. In addition, the Master Promissory Note, the ABC worksheet is eliminated.These removals and replacements were made to reorganize to the entire Financial Aid system. Amos said that these changes were about improving and streamlining customer service and making attaining Financial Aid less painful. The removals led to the implementation of document imaging, and transitioning the Financial Aid and loan application process to the online format by further utilizing NEIUport. Only the electronic submission of the Stafford loan request is required, and new borrowers in 2009 can have their loans auto-packaged. Amos said the implementation of NEIU Financial Aid with NEIUport will contain new features and enhanced views; students can use NEIUport to view their financial aid and loan status. Also, students that want to apply for loans can just go to the NEIU Financial Aid loan Web site and electronically complete the online Stafford request form. Amos included that Financial Aid updates will be shown in NEIUport announcments.But that was not the only concern; the current recession was also in mind during the process. Amos said that due to the increased unemployment there will be changes to the FAFSA application. The new FAFSA will introduce new questions addressing homeless youth who are unable to provide parent information. If the applying student answers these questions, they will not be required to provide parent information and will have a greater chance at being awarded Financial Aid.Amos said an additional $49 billion will become available for Financial Aid Summer-Fall 2009. The Pell Grant and Work Study will have $17.3 billion, funding the $6 billion shortfall. The Teacher Incentive Grant also will receive $200 million. Education majors who will receive this grant are required to finish their education and teach assigned schools with their high lead subjects.Amos also said that the budget cuts from the NEIU fiscal year 2009 will not change the federal and state financial programs. She also said that there were no personnel changes in the Financial Aid office.