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Promoting FAFSA

MASFAPFall 2008

Presenter: Jaime NewcombMissouri Baptist University

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Quick Facts About MBU

Missouri Baptist University is an evangelical Christian, liberal arts institution and has as its purpose the offering of programs of study leading to professional certificates, undergraduate degrees, and graduate degrees in an environment where academic excellence is emphasized and a Biblically based Christian perspective is maintained.

83% of MBU’s undergraduate students are Missouri Residents (based on 2007-2008 FAFSA data)

7% of MBU undergraduate students are majoring in Theology (based on FA-07 enrollment)

MBU’s published financial aid deadline is October 1st.

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ACCESS Missouri Grant

This program provides need-based grants. To be eligible, a student must:

Have a FAFSA on file by April 1 with an EFC of $12,000 or less. Any FAFSA corrections must be made no later than July 31st.

Be enrolled full time at a participating Missouri postsecondary school. Maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Not be pursuing a degree in theology or divinity.

Access Missouri Financial Assistance Award Amounts

Public 2-year Schools

Public 4-year Schools

Private

Schools

Maximum: $1,000

Minimum: $300

Maximum: $2,150

Minimum: $1,000

Maximum: $4,600

Minimum: $2,000

*Information obtained from MDHE’s “The Source” brochure

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Promoting FAFSA

With any type of change, need to collaborate with other offices.

Public Relations Academic Advisors Admissions Athletic Coaches I.T. Students

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Promoting FAFSA

Get key players involved. Analyze what you have been doing in the

past and why it hasn’t worked. Explain the benefit for your office. Explain what it will do for other offices and the

university as a whole. Explain how it will affect your students. Get everyone involved including your

students! Be creative and have fun.

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MBU Enrollment Numbers

975

3485

4460

950

3496

4511

1137

3406

4598

1244

3289

4652

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000

FA-05 FA-06 FA-07 FA-08

GradUnderTotal

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Completed FAFSA’s by April 1st

428477 512

646

1058

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

2004-2005

2005-2006

2006-2007

2007-2008

2008-2009

Number of Students

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Promoting FAFSA

04-05 to 05-06: 11.4% increase 05-06 to 06-07: 7.3% increase 06-07 to 07-08: 26.2% increase 07-08 to 08-09: 63.8% increase!!!

*Minimal increase due to enrollment

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MBU FAFSA Promotion

Financial Aid Month – February Banners around campus Yard Signs on campus and extension sites Mailings E-mails News Video Brochures FAFSA countdown on MBU Website “Got FAFSA?” T-Shirts

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Promoting FAFSA

This is our poster child who is well known on our campus and missed out on the ACCESS grant. He was such a good sport, he did a photo shoot. This was sent to students in their billing statement.

*NOTE: He failed to complete his FAFSA AGAIN by April 1, 2008. (some never learn!)

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Promoting FAFSA

Countdown Timer used on the MBU website. Countdown to April 1!

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Promoting FAFSA

Yard signs and Banners were placed around the campus and at all MBU extension sites.

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Promoting FAFSA

The Financial Services Office, Admissions Office and student workers wore “Got FAFSA?” T-shirts to Chapel and on Fridays during Financial Aid Month.

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Promoting FAFSA

What will MBU do for 2009-2010? Student Computer Desktop

Wallpaper and Screensaver Phone calls to students Use of Blackboard Student Handbook Use as recruiting tool Push Enrollment at the same time

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Promoting FAFSA

What did we learn? Change IS possible! Processing time

Packaging When one thing changes, other things have to

be reevaluated. Scholarships for Religion, Non-Missouri

Residents Reevaluate Deadlines

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Promoting FAFSA

Learn From Each Other! What have other schools done? What are some ideas? Who do you need to talk to in order to make it

happen?

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Promoting FAFSA

FREE Tools!!!

Five Minute FAFSA video (Hilarious) www.fastweb.com FAFSA Banner for websites http://ifap.ed.gov/fafsa/doc0013_bodyoftext.html FAFSA Posters, Brochures, Bookmarks http://www.fsapubs.org/ College Goal Sunday www.collegegoalsunday.org Countdown Counters

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Promoting FAFSA

BE PREPARED!!!!!

Becoming more efficient will bring out your

inefficiencies!!!

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Questions?

MISSOURI BAPTIST UNIVERSITYJaime Newcomb(314) 392-2398newcoj@mobap.edu