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The Southern University Office of Student Financial Aid has begun its campaign for students to register early for financial aid for the 2006-2007 academic year.
“We’re trying to be proactive in processing the financial aid,” said Stacy Batiste, associate director. “The intent is to actually get the students to complete the FAFSA (free application for federal student aid) and turn in all their verification documents. If there are any errors or any discrepancies in the data, by the time the fall semester begins we will correct everything and have the funds ready to disburse by the time school begins rather than weeks after.”
Batiste said the financial aid office was attempting to be more student friendly and process faster.
Started in 2002, the campaign was the brainchild of former Director Philip Rodgers. Rodgers intended to give a preferred deadline in an effort to create more processing time for financial aid staff, which would subsequently produce more accurate results, faster for students.
“I think the campaign encourages students to be more responsible instead of procrastinating so we can get our money,” said John Mccree, a sophomore secondary education major from Lake Charles.
The preferred deadline has been set for March 31 and according to Batiste, if students fail to meet it, they could run into delays later.
“Once we cut it off it turns into a process as we receive it,” Batiste said. “It turns into a first come first serve basis. We have to put you in and process you as your information comes into the office so the best thing to do is apply early.”
Batiste said right now the office was not receiving information on a consistent basis.
“We’re getting a few packets here, a few packets there, but if we get the information now we can have everything processed early. If they (students) have any questions, we can get everything resolved during the summer,” Batiste said.
As part of the effort the office of financial aid will be sending staffers to the Smith-Brown Memorial Union to solicit students to get the process started early. Banners have also been placed at various venues throughout the campus displaying the preferred deadline date.
“If students meet the deadline, they should have no problems with financial aid,” Batiste said.