5 Tips to Help Your Financial Aid Staff Cope with the Busy Season

FAFSA’s Twitter pos t offered tips to help students avoid waiting in long lines or getting put on  hold by the financial aid office. For instance, the agency advised students to schedule calls and  visits in July instead of August. This way, they can get questions answered quickly before the  predictable busy period right before the fall term begins. 

Not every student will see FAFSA’s post or heed this sound advice, so financial aid offices still  need to prepare for peak. FA Solutions, LLC offers some excellent tips to keep financial aid office  employees motivated, efficient, and happy, even when the lines wind outside the door and the  phones keep ringing. 

Financial aid offices may never have a way to entirely avoid a rush of students who have urgent  financial aid issues right before they need to pay tuition bills and begin courses. They can  prepare office staff to ensure employees know what to expect and how to handle the rush of  students as efficiently and effectively as possible. 

Each staff member should understand how to prioritize appointments, walk-ins, phone calls, and  messages to avoid getting overwhelmed. If employees find specific duties or periods particularly  stressful, consider spreading them around to ensure the same individuals don’t always get stuck  with the most challenging responsibilities. See if other departments or even third-party solutions  

can relieve some of the workload. 

Even if some students don’t always express their gratitude, the department should always find  ways to let employees know how much they’re valued. The best way to offer thanks may depend  upon the worker’s personality and could include a quiet compliment, a public shout-out, or a  thoughtful card. 

Bosses can also express appreciation by making the office as pleasant and supportive as  possible. Employees appreciate extra perks such as water bottles, light snacks, and upbeat  music. Some offices, as budgets allow order employee lunches during peak times to help save  the employee time and money. 

Employees need a quiet retreat to enjoy their breaks and lunch periods. Offer resources and  support for relaxation, meditation, exercise, and mental health. For instance, place a couple of  tablet computers loaded with simple games or meditation apps in the break room.

If your office requires more professional attire, consider offering the employee a comfortable  option. Many colleges allow for a school branded shirt and the employee’s choice of comfortable  bottoms, like jeans.  

A financial aid office assumes lots of responsibility to ensure students have a positive experience  and can obtain the vital assistance they need. For example, the financial aid department’s  effectiveness can have an immense impact on enrollment numbers. In turn, that major  responsibility can generate overwhelming pressure during busy times of the year, especially right  before new semesters begin. 

On the positive side, a trusted, reliable partner will relieve workloads with efficient processing  solutions, consulting, and even outsourced staffing. Contact us here at FA Solutions today to tell  us about your challenges, and we’ll happily explain how we’ve assisted other schools and will  help yours too!

By Bridget McGuire