Dr. Carlos Clark has assumed the position of associate provost of the financial aid office, promising adjustments in financial aid and in staffing procedures.
The associate provost is in charge of the allocation of all funds made available to the office from federal and state agencies.
As part of his plan to revitalize the office, Clark has implemented new training procedures for the staff, and has added more counselors to the office to assist students. He said, “I think the staff has done a great deal of hard work with the new training procedures. I find that they are truly committed.”
This semester Clark’s office is using “CISplus,” a program that integrates the student administration and admissions offices with financial aid. Clark said at the beginning of each semester, the financial aid office will be temporarily located in computer labs in the new science building, which will “allow students to use Panther Tracks to more efficiently interface with our counselors.”
The new procedures will allow students to resolve many of their queries with the office from home. The lines at the financial aid office are expected to be cut by at least 30 percent in the coming semesters, when financial aid will be made available online to new and returning students.
Clark said, “Another advantage of this new procedure, will be the quick disbursement of scholarships, which will be awarded simultaneously with other financial aid, and earlier notification for students who will receive financial aid.”
Other improvements include extending the time between academic evaluations, giving students more time and leeway to improve their grades without the worry of being penalized financially, along with a decision to drop many lending companies, which have been known to have high default rates.
“Expect a lot of turnaround from the financial aid office. We’re going to continue to look for new outside solutions,” Clark added.