The Event
Often
times we ask how someone became interested in a particular job, or got into
a profession. When I ask fellow
financial aid experts how they came to financial aid, they often say that they
just “fell into it.” Many of us were work-study or graduate students in a financial aid office and stuck
with it after graduation. No matter how we came into financial aid, there almost always seems to be that one event or student that helped
solidify our love for this noble profession.
We love our jobs because we make a difference to our students and
schools, despite the lack of credit for the work we do.
I came into financial aid in 2001 as a graduate student in the Office
of Financial Aid at the University of South Florida. At first it was all fun, seeing behind the scenes and workings of college financial aid, awarding students, and talking them through regulations as a peer.
Then came the day when I moved to a full time position. That first year as a full time financial aid
professional is like spring training in baseball, only it is a year in length.
I always say it takes a year in
financial aid before you really get a good understanding of how things work. It’s during that first year that many of us
begin to wonder if financial aid was the right choice. We deal with the first of many
irate students and helicopter parents, read several heart-breaking SAP
appeals, and wonder if this is something we can do for the next “x” years. We may suddenly realize we are doing seven jobs
at once, or that staff from other departments do not seem to be as pressured,
deadline driven, or accountable as financial aid staff. But there is always that one moment when it becomes clear that it was the right choice, despite the issues we face
there are numerous other students we never had to see - because they got
everything they needed. Those students
were in class, pursuing their dreams of a higher education, and you were a part
of that success.
For me
that moment occurred toward the end of my first year as a Financial Aid
Counselor. Due to USF’s size, we would
sometimes encourage students to assist themselves. We would often get requests for letters of proof of aid awards. Students would use these for rental agreements, car
purchases, etc.; however, in most cases students were directed to log into
their self-service and simply print off their awards to use as proof. In most cases this would work and be
accepted. It was the one time it didn’t
that left an impression on me. That memory is something I carry with me to this day.
You
know that student, the one that seems to come into your office every day to
check his aid status for the 30th time? Well, that student came into the office one
day; in fact it was his second trip into the office. He was told to log in and print off
his award notice, just as hundreds of students before him were instructed. I overheard him try to explain that his
application specifically asked for a signed statement. When I asked him what kind of application,
the student explained that he was applying for a special program for first time
home buyers. Impressed that a college
student was looking to buy a house I took him back to my office to learn more.
During
our chat I learned that in his scholarship searches he came across some
programs for first time home owners, and just didn’t have enough verifiable
income without including his financial aid.
Because of the nature of the program, he needed more than just a print
out, so I made the time to help him write a letter that would present
him in the best light to receive a mortgage.
If he came to the FA office every day to check on things, I knew he
would be the kind of homeowner that would keep track of his finances and would be as successful in home ownership as he was as a student. The next week he came in to check on
his financial aid as unusual. I had almost
forgotten about the letter and our conversation, until he handed me a letter. You see, what took maybe 10 minutes out of my
day not only affected this student and his
dreams of higher education, it affected his life in ways I hadn’t thought about
when I decided to write that letter. My
words don’t do it justice so I will let his words show you:
Not only was he the first in his family to graduate from college, but the first to own a home. To this day
I have that letter in my desk drawer, to remind me on the bad days that I got
into financial aid because I love working on behalf of students. Being just a small part of their success is
worth all the bad days, irate students, helicopter parents and regulation
changes combined.
Wayne Kruger
kruger.wayne@spcollege.eduSASFAA Secretary
Are you eligible to Vote?
The 2018 SASFAA election
is just around the corner. If you have not paid your 2017-2018 membership
dues, you should do so quickly. Eligibility for voting is based on being active
member who has paid 2017-2018 membership dues. So don’t delay; pay your
membership fees today.
The Nominations and
Elections Committee is pleased to announce this year’s slate of
candidates. Election information (including candidacy statements and
professional involvement) for each candidate is available online.
I look forward
to seeing all of you in Alexandria next month! The election results will
be announced during the business meeting held at the conclusion of the
conference on Wednesday morning, February 14, 2018.
Marian Dill
mdill@leeuniversity.edu
Nominations & Elections, Chair
SASFAA Past President
No comments:
Post a Comment