
Colorado State University Global
4 YEAR PUBLIC Colorado State University Global Impact Snapshot: 45,000
Students applying for financial aid for the 2024-2025 academic year will be impacted by some of the most significant federal financial aid changes in four decades. The FAFSA Simplification Act aims to make applying for federal financial aid easier for students by reducing the number of questions on the form. The current FAFSA requires some students to answer over 108 questions; with the new changes, students will have to complete fewer than 36 questions according to Congressional talking points. In addition, some provisions substantively change the eligibility formulas. Here are some of the changes:
As a former financial aid counselor, I can attest that financial aid staff are no strangers to change. However, with declining enrollment, staffing shortages, and the economy necessitating financial restraint, the administration of these historic changes will be uniquely challenging. The COO of Federal Student Aid, Richard Cordray, recently recommended that leadership at higher education institutions prepare for these changes by:
Cordray explained that “insufficient financial resources for items like staffing, software updates, and training may increase risks of non-compliance, which could lead to audit findings, fines, and liabilities.” Unfortunately, implementing these recommendations will be challenging for most institutions, as budget cuts are currently impacting higher education institutions.
The stakes are high. We are here to help. The Ocelot AI Communication Platform is supported by a team of higher education experts who curate content and work closely with institutions to ensure our solutions not only understand what students ask but also direct them to accurate answers. Our customers can use our powerful AI domain-specific engine in conjunction with our extensive pre-built library.
We have a dedicated Compliance Committee with over 70 years of higher education experience, to prepare our Chatbot, Live Chat, Videos, and Texting clients for these changes. Ocelot’s roots began in financial aid publications. We have built our success on doing the heavy lifting for our clients so they can focus on serving their students. As a trusted partner to institutions nationwide, we look forward to helping our customers achieve more.
4 YEAR PUBLIC Colorado State University Global Impact Snapshot: 45,000
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a critical step for students in the college application process. However, the application can be complicated and daunting, especially for low-income families. The FAFSA Simplification Act aims to change that. In this blog post, we will explore the FAFSA Simplification Act, what it entails, and the benefits that come with it.
Financial aid staff play a pivotal role in helping students navigate the complex and often stressful terrain of college financing to achieve their educational goals. That being said, the most important communications they’ll send this year will be about FAFSA Simplification! Here’s what to send and how to prepare!
Students today expect colleges and universities to accommodate their always-on, digital lifestyles. And institutions of higher education (IHEs) are seeking innovative ways to improve student retention and engagement. The thing is, these two facts are closely connected! Colleges and universities at the forefront of innovation are realizing that the path to retention and engagement is through AI-powered solutions.
Discover how one California Community College leveraged both Ocelot Chatbot and Two-Way Text to increase student engagement.