Building Partnerships for Financial Aid Success: How Financial Aid Offices and State Student Access Commissions Can Collaborate to Support Financial Aid Application Goals

Krystyna Dias .

Access to higher education is one of the most powerful tools to uplift individuals, families, and entire communities. However, the cost of education can be a significant barrier, especially for underrepresented students who may not be aware of the resources available to help finance their education. This is where financial aid offices, in collaboration with State Student Access Commissions (SSACs), can play a pivotal role.

Through strategic partnerships, universities and colleges can extend their impact beyond the confines of their campuses, empowering local communities with information and resources that unlock access to federal and state financial aid. Conducting FAFSA and Financial Aid Information Sessions in partnership with state commissions is an effective way to build goodwill in the community while helping students realize their educational goals. On the part of the financial aid community, Financial Aid Offices benefit by receiving staffing assistance to conduct critical information sessions, which financial aid office might not be able to offer if they lack adequate staffing resources or institutional support. To that end, this article shares some helpful information on how these partnerships can be leveraged to help vulnerable student populations while sharing best practices for making them successful.

The Importance of Financial Aid Information for Communities

For many students, understanding the financial aid process can be overwhelming. Even in the best of circumstances, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the myriad of state-specific grants, scholarships, and loan options can seem like a maze, notwithstanding the processing issues students experienced with this past application cycle. First-generation college students and those from low-income backgrounds are oftentimes intimidated and impacted by the amount of time and effort it takes to navigate these systems, and oftentimes, they are even unsure as to what they even qualify for. This is where outreach by financial aid offices, in partnership with State Student Access Commissions, can be instrumental.

Hosting FAFSA and Financial Aid Information Sessions is not just about guiding students through forms—it’s about making education more accessible and achievable by making information more transparent and by showing step-by-step guides on how to complete applications. Informing students and families about financial aid resources helps demystify the process and enables them to take steps toward applying for aid they may not have realized was available to them. These sessions also provide a forum for addressing common misconceptions, such as “I won’t qualify for aid” or “college is unaffordable for people like me.”

Benefits of Partnering with State Student Access Commissions

State Student Access Commissions have a deep understanding of the financial aid landscape specific to their state and often manage state-based aid programs like grants and scholarships. By partnering with financial aid offices, these commissions can bring expert-level knowledge and resources to the table. Collaborating allows both entities to streamline their efforts, ensuring that students get the most accurate and up-to-date information on state aid in addition to federal programs. Similarly, this also lifts the burden of putting on these workshops from falling entirely on the staff of any given college’s financial aid office.

Working together, financial aid offices and SSACs can:

  • Reach More Students: Since partnering allows for coordinated marketing efforts and better outreach to underserved or underrepresented communities.
  • Offer Expertise: SSAC representatives are often well-versed in state-specific aid programs, including scholarships and grants that students may overlook, and can also share additional information as to what deadlines exist to access specific state-aid programs.
  • Provide Hands-On Support: Collaborations like these can offer real-time assistance with FAFSA completion in-person, where representatives are able to answer questions, and troubleshoot any issues families may face, while remaining compliant.
  • Create Consistent Messaging: Collaboration ensures that the same information is being disseminated across multiple stakeholders, reducing confusion and improving access equity about the aid process.

The Importance of Building Goodwill with Local Communities

Universities and colleges are often major institutions within their local communities, and their reputation can be greatly influenced by how they engage with the residents nearby. By offering free and accessible information sessions on financial aid, these institutions can build goodwill and trust among the local population.

Many students who live in the surrounding areas of a university may not consider higher education a viable option simply due to a lack of understanding about available financial aid. Offering financial aid workshops in community centers, churches, or schools signals that the university cares about the community and is willing to invest time and resources into helping them succeed.

By building these relationships, the university can:

  • Increase Enrollment from Local Students: When students see that the university is accessible and supportive, they are more likely to apply and enroll. Similarly, they are more likely to learn about the resources institutions offer, which they may not otherwise know about.
  • Foster Long-Term Relationships: Students who benefit from these programs often become ambassadors for the university, encouraging peers and younger family members to pursue higher education.
  • Enhance the University’s Image: Being seen as a partner in the success of local communities can improve the university’s standing and lead to increased community support. Similarly, these efforts oftentimes provide actionable ways to put into practice the mission, vision, and values that many universities espouse.

Collaborating with Nonprofits and Other Support Organizations

While partnerships with State Student Access Commissions are crucial, financial aid offices should also look to local nonprofits and community organizations to extend their reach. These groups often have deep roots within the community and can help target populations that may be hard to reach through traditional university marketing efforts.

For instance, partnering with organizations that support first-generation college students, low-income families, or specific ethnic or racial groups can ensure that financial aid information is delivered in culturally competent and accessible ways. These nonprofits often have staff who are trusted by the community and can serve as bridges between the university and potential students.

Collaborating with nonprofits also means financial aid offices can:

  • Leverage Existing Relationships: Nonprofits often have established relationships with the communities they serve, allowing for more effective outreach.
  • Co-Host Events: Working with a nonprofit to co-host financial aid information sessions can increase attendance and trust, especially if the organization is seen as a trusted resource.
  • Offer Comprehensive Support: Nonprofits often provide holistic services, such as mentoring, tutoring, and college counseling, which complement financial aid information sessions.

Best Practices for Conducting FAFSA and Financial Aid Information Sessions

  1. Plan Early and Advertise Widely: Ensure that your event is well-publicized across multiple platforms, including social media, local news outlets, and community spaces such as churches, libraries, and schools.
  2. Engage Trusted Voices: Partner with community leaders, nonprofit organizations, and local entities who can help spread the word and bring legitimacy to your efforts.
  3. Make It Hands-On: Don’t just explain the FAFSA—help families complete it. Offer one-on-one assistance for attendees who need help filling out the form or who have questions about specific financial situations, especially in partnership with your state’s Student Access Commission advisors.
  4. Provide Multilingual Support: Many communities are multilingual, so having translators or materials in different languages can significantly increase the accessibility of your sessions.
  5. Follow Up: After the event, provide a way for students and families to ask further questions or get additional help, whether through follow-up workshops, office hours, or phone support.

Conclusion

Collaboration between financial aid offices, State Student Access Commissions, and community organizations is key to promoting educational attainment and removing barriers to college access. By working together, these entities can provide the information, resources, and support necessary for students to make informed decisions about their educational future. Through these partnerships, we can ensure that more students—especially those from underserved communities—take advantage of the financial aid opportunities available to them and ultimately achieve their academic and career goals.

Thinking of ways to make these efforts successful? Reach out to our trusted advisors at info@heag.us where we can help you discern strategies to make these efforts have the most impact among your local communities.