Students Voice Financial Aid Woes
Shirley Grover
Issue date: 3/5/02 Section: Coyote News
For CCSN students Susan Hendricks and Shawn Larrison, receiving money from financial aid has been a journey through miles of red tape.
They're not alone. Many students have had problems either with the application process or they have experienced mishaps in receiving their checks.
Hendricks, an education major, was transferred from one campus to another in her efforts to receive unsubsidized loans. She said it appeared she was getting the run-around.
Larrison, an elementary education major, said when he checked with US Bank about his loan the bank said they had not been given any information from the CCSN Financial Aid Office. The financial aid office said the information had been given to the bank and he felt caught in the middle.
Larrison added when he got his loan he received one-fourth the amount he thought he was getting and he just received his check Feb. 19.
If this sounds familiar read on.
Chemene Crawford, the director of student financial services, said the financial services is trying very hard to meet the students needs.
"My job is to get money for the students," she said. I enjoy helping students get the finances they need so they can attend school."
Crawford stated that she only has three professional staff and nine support staff to cover all three campuses.
"We try to cover all the needs of the students when they call or come in, and do take the time to meet those needs." she explained. "We do this for each student. "
Crawford explained there is a lot of paperwork involved to process someone's financial aid.
"We have to check each income tax return submitted, check Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), social security numbers match, veterans benefits, and check whether or not the men have registered for the draft," she said.
Name changes are a big issue.
If a student changes their name, they should change it on everything including their social security card.
They're not alone. Many students have had problems either with the application process or they have experienced mishaps in receiving their checks.
Hendricks, an education major, was transferred from one campus to another in her efforts to receive unsubsidized loans. She said it appeared she was getting the run-around.
Larrison, an elementary education major, said when he checked with US Bank about his loan the bank said they had not been given any information from the CCSN Financial Aid Office. The financial aid office said the information had been given to the bank and he felt caught in the middle.
Larrison added when he got his loan he received one-fourth the amount he thought he was getting and he just received his check Feb. 19.
If this sounds familiar read on.
Chemene Crawford, the director of student financial services, said the financial services is trying very hard to meet the students needs.
"My job is to get money for the students," she said. I enjoy helping students get the finances they need so they can attend school."
Crawford stated that she only has three professional staff and nine support staff to cover all three campuses.
"We try to cover all the needs of the students when they call or come in, and do take the time to meet those needs." she explained. "We do this for each student. "
Crawford explained there is a lot of paperwork involved to process someone's financial aid.
"We have to check each income tax return submitted, check Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), social security numbers match, veterans benefits, and check whether or not the men have registered for the draft," she said.
Name changes are a big issue.
If a student changes their name, they should change it on everything including their social security card.