AudraClodfelter ✭✭✭

@CandaceKrell @EmilyMcCormick @KatieFerrell This thread may be helpful regarding yesterday's conversation on application demographic questions!

#financial need

Thanks, @AlyseBraaten! I think I will use this with my upcoming evaluations!!

@PhyllisMcConn - If your donors are willing to expand their criteria, I would open it up to the private schools. There may be more eligible students than it appears. You may be able to implement some internal checks to disqualify students who do not meet the very high financial need criteria. I don't know if that's the…

@AlyseBraaten Do you know of any SLM users who divide an opportunity-group (I have no idea what else to call them LOL) of applicants into multiple groups for review? Like @LaurieAbildso, I'm considering this practice for a few opportunities that receive a high volume of applications. I can't decide if I want to move…

@DanielleFleer I added a "COVID-19 impact essay" after sports, work, and extracurriculars (one essay to cover all three areas): While in high school, your activities, community service/volunteerism, and employment may have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please explain how COVID-19 has impacted these areas of your…

@SeleneLopez Thanks! That really breaks down the changes!!

@SeleneLopez I'm anxious to learn more about the new need indicator (I think it's called the student aid index), and it's impact on financial aid and scholarships. Hopefully we'll see some training on it in the next few months. I have two financial aid short answer questions in which I ask how students and their parents…

@TomWickersham This is a very good point. This part of the process is why my brain hurts!

I'm re-thinking the way we've been calculating need. Initially, I thought I had to factor in EFC, and I think it's still important but not the main thing. Colleges/Unis use EFC in their calculations to determine the gap between federal/state aid and what the family can afford to pay. They fill the gap with institutional…

@CiaraStahly - We don't have any faith-based scholarships, but our policy states that it is allowed. If I were developing this, I would ask for references from individuals who can describe the applicant's spirituality. You could also ask the applicant for an essay describing what their faith means to them. I know that's…

Hey! I work at Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation in Effingham, Illinois. I manage our communication/marketing, online fundraising, and scholarships. Really excited to be a part of this community! We're new to Foundant and I'm very excited to get started with SLM and CommunitySuite.