[Wsssc] Hot Topics 4/4

[Smith, Karl]

Colleagues,

I am hoping to take 10-15 minutes at hot topics to talk about the FAFSA Simplification Action Plan. Attached is a draft of the action plan. It is the complimentary document to the FAFSA Simplification Unified Approach to Implementation which was distributed on March 19. I know that some you might be tasked as co-champions and I do not want to catch you off guard. The FAFSA Simplification Action Plan is still in draft form. I shared a copy earlier today with other contributors. Please do not forward the FAFSA Simplification Action Plan to your financial directors prior to our discussion tomorrow. Without context and support this might increase anxiety in financial aid offices. Below is a draft email that will be sent after final approval. - Karl


Dear Colleagues,

The FAFSA Simplification Action Plan Template provides a set of suggested actions for campuses to facilitate the implementation of recent FAFSA simplifications. It outlines a collaborative framework involving various stakeholders across the campus community, emphasizing the plan's adaptability to meet the specific needs of each community and technical college campus. By fostering a collaborative campus-wide effort, the FAFSA Simplification Action Plan stands as a roadmap for campuses, encouraging a unified strategy that leverages the strengths and insights of the entire campus community to support students in realizing their educational goals.

Central to the plan's execution is the recommendation for a dual leadership approach, with the Director of Financial Aid and a designated Co-Champion working in tandem. The Co-Champion, chosen for their dedication and capacity to engage with different campus sectors, coordinates efforts outside the financial aid office, allowing the Director to focus primarily on processing and awarding financial aid. While the plan initially presents all actions as not started, we acknowledge that many campuses will already have made significant strides in some areas. The proposed actions within the plan serve as guidelines rather than prescriptive directives. The actual action plan should be developed by campus leadership, in consultation with the Director of Financial Aid and the college's Co-Champion, to ensure it aligns with the campus's unique context and capabilities. This approach underscores the importance of customization and collaborative planning in effectively navigating the complexities introduced by FAFSA simplification.


Warm Regards,

Krista Francis (she|her|hers)
VP of Student Services
Peninsula College
KFrancis at pencol.edu<mailto:KFrancis at pencol.edu>
T: (360) 417-6225
www.pencol.edu<http://www.pencol.edu>

Karl Smith  (he|him|his)
VP of Student Affairs
Tacoma Community College
ksmith at tacomacc.edu<mailto:ksmith at tacomacc.edu>
T: (253) 566-5127
https://tacomacc.edu/



Action Plan Contributors:



Chantel Fields, Executive Director of Student Financial Resources, Bellingham Technical College

Robert Cox, Vice President Student Services, Centralia College

James Flowers, Director of Financial Aid and Veterans Services, Tacoma Community College

Yokiko Hayashi-Saquil, Policy Associate Student Services, SBCTC

Deann Holliday, Director of Student Financial Services, Cascadia College

Darcy Kipnis, Director of Special Projects, Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Claire Peinado, Vice President Student Services, Skagit Valley College

Teresa Robinson-Duane, Student Funding Center Director, South Seattle College

Melanie Ruiz, Director of Financial Aid, Shoreline Community College



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