Financial Aid ‘Nights’ – The Sunnyside of COVID

What do Sevastopol and Monona Grove High Schools have in common? That’s not the beginning of a corny joke…but believe me, we tried to make it one. These schools, physically located roughly 200 miles apart, heard the same financial aid information on the same night- all thanks to COVID. Most aspects of living through a pandemic are incredibly challenging at best, but there is one upside of being forced into a virtual world: we are able to work differently to reach more students and families with valuable information about how to make their higher education dreams a reality. The October 1st opening of the FAFSA brings with it a full calendar of financial aid presentations to high schools and organizations across the state. Historically this meant the Outreach team and others would put on hundreds of miles on fleet vehicles and listen to countless podcasts on the way. This year instead of putting on miles, we racked up minutes- on Zoom. The benefits of hosting financial aid nights in Zoom were many:
  • We were able to host multiple schools in one evening
  • Participation was higher than we’ve seen in the past
  • Instead of giving the same presentation over and over, we were able to share a recorded presentation and field questions in the chat in real time and afterward during a Q & A for a hybrid experience
  • Since transportation wasn’t a consideration, we were able to take advantage of the Office of Student Financial Aid Student Ambassadors to have fin aid student staff members bring their valuable insight to prospective students and families
  • Participants were able to confidentially ask questions in the chat, but the answer would be shared broadly (without identifying who asked it) with the whole group. Often if one person has a question- others do as well, so this was helpful across the board. One high school counselor shared that they had heard some questions in the presentation that historically haven’t been asked out loud at the in person events
  • The recorded presentation as well as the recorded student perspective and Q & A could be sent out to students and families who were unable to attend
  • A few counselors reached out afterward asking for additional FAFSA support and assistance for Spanish speaking families
Downfalls:
  • Screen fatigue
  • Counselor/participants varying levels of comfort with Zoom
  • Technology hiccups and rural internet connectivity issues
  • Less podcasts listened to
  • Less pretty fall leaves viewed
The Stats:
  • 12 high schools served- more in the works
  • 7 events
  • 449 participants
While the financial aid night experience was certainly different this year, it was a win for access. Many counselors have said they’d like to use this format moving forward. Pandemic or not, all signs are pointing to more Zoom in our future.