Spring Break
SGA tackles Financial Aid issues
Megan Henderson
Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: News
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A month and a half into the fall semester, the Student Government Association (SGA) is questioning delays in financial aid distribution.
The SGA invited Jan Brandow, director of the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office, to its Oct. 3 meeting. Brandow discussed the issues delaying aid, reiterating emails sent by Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Mel Tyler.
Brandow began her presentation by conceding student aid difficulties.
"Let me first acknowledge that I understand that some financial aid issues have been extremely frustrating for students. We know that," she said.
Brandow distributed a packet of information with common questions and answers to explain the aid delays. She asserted delays in aid this semester would not occur next semester.
"What you've experienced is a one-time setup," Brandow said. "You're not going to see delays in the spring. You're not going to see delays next fall."
However, Brandow mentioned it would take longer to adapt financial aid in the new system.
"It's just going to take us a couple of years to begin to customize it to do what we need to do to serve you best," she said.
The current Pathway system is the "basic design," Brandow said. The system will be customized to fit UMKC.
"This new system is capable of endless customizations," she said. "It will just get better and better."
The SGA Executive Council was silent during the presentation, while SGA senators asked specific questions for themselves or their council. Nicole Stinner of the School of Pharmacy asked Brandow what she should tell her peers.
"It kind of upsets me because the grad program, our funding, that funds our housing aspect of it as well," she said. "So having students wait even longer to pay rent and stuff like that, it is hard to justify that to them."
Many, however, repeatedly questioned Brandow for an end to the wait for funds.
"I cannot tell you right now … the Columbia campus is having the same issues," she said. "If I told you, that would be unfair."
The SGA invited Jan Brandow, director of the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office, to its Oct. 3 meeting. Brandow discussed the issues delaying aid, reiterating emails sent by Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Mel Tyler.
Brandow began her presentation by conceding student aid difficulties.
"Let me first acknowledge that I understand that some financial aid issues have been extremely frustrating for students. We know that," she said.
Brandow distributed a packet of information with common questions and answers to explain the aid delays. She asserted delays in aid this semester would not occur next semester.
"What you've experienced is a one-time setup," Brandow said. "You're not going to see delays in the spring. You're not going to see delays next fall."
However, Brandow mentioned it would take longer to adapt financial aid in the new system.
"It's just going to take us a couple of years to begin to customize it to do what we need to do to serve you best," she said.
The current Pathway system is the "basic design," Brandow said. The system will be customized to fit UMKC.
"This new system is capable of endless customizations," she said. "It will just get better and better."
The SGA Executive Council was silent during the presentation, while SGA senators asked specific questions for themselves or their council. Nicole Stinner of the School of Pharmacy asked Brandow what she should tell her peers.
"It kind of upsets me because the grad program, our funding, that funds our housing aspect of it as well," she said. "So having students wait even longer to pay rent and stuff like that, it is hard to justify that to them."
Many, however, repeatedly questioned Brandow for an end to the wait for funds.
"I cannot tell you right now … the Columbia campus is having the same issues," she said. "If I told you, that would be unfair."
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