This is rather off the beaten path for my posts, but it's that time of year where stress seems to dig in a little deeper for everyone. I'd just like to tell you what it's like for financial aid administrators (FAAs).
Beginning in October, students begin thinking about registering for the next semester or quarter at their schools. This is when the stress begins because unpaid college expenses almost always restrict students from registering for the next semester. In my office, we are bombarded with students who have delayed applying for financial aid, only to come in a day or two before their registration date expecting their financial aid advisor to perform miracles. This is not a criticism, but rather an observation and to promote awareness for the financial aid process.
Filing the FAFSA, even electronically, takes time. After the results are received at your school, the financial aid administrator must have time to review the application and request additional required documents, if needed. We get a lot of pressure from students who wait until the last minute to have their aid processed, but we work as quickly as we can. We see an influx of emotionally distraught students at this time of year. I know (as a former non-traditional student myself) that you have many other factors pulling you in many other directions, but as the new FAFSA year approaches, I strongly encourage you to file the 2008-09 FAFSA as soon as possible. Don't wait until school starts!
Financial aid administrators are also multitaskers who must juggle counseling, FAFSA processing, and program responsibility. In my state, the state classification specs for my title are dated 1969. We didn't have half the federal programs or even computers back then! My point is that most adminstrators are responsible for many more aspects of financial aid than even 15 years ago. Most offices don't get additional help, so staff absorbs the additional duties. Not to mention the turmoil FAAs endure increased federal regulations and decreased funding to support financial aid programs. Sometimes I hate my job because I can't help students like I want. I dread suggesting a student take loans, but often it's the only option. And when administrators can't provide enough alternative because of federal and/or state limitations, we get the fallout with upset students.
Students are the reason I have a job, and I respect you. But please remember that financial aid administrators are people, and we get just as stressed as the student when we can't provide enough financial aid to pay for college. As a financial aid administrator, I can attest that we hear from the disgruntled student, but rarely from the student we were able to help to graduation. Can I declare a Financial Aid Administrator Day? Sure, but only in my own little world! So do me a favor, if you have a good experience with your financial aid administrator, send a thank you or a little note to tell them how much you appreciate them! Believe me, it makes our job a little easier!