Six Strategies of Communication to Increase Tuition Payment and Student Retention

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Jasmin Berry
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1 Six Strategies of Communication to Increase Tuition Payment and Student Retention

2 University of Illinois Three campuses: Urbana-Champaign: 44,407 students Chicago: 28,091students Springfield: 5,137 students Students enrolled: 77,635 Degrees awarded in : 19,442 Operating budget in : $5.01 billion

5,137 students Students enrolled: 77,635 Degrees awarded

3 Introduction of USFSCO University Student Financial Services and Cashier Operations (USFSCO) provides services for all three campuses of the University of Illinois (Chicago, Springfield, and Urbana-Champaign). Customer Service and Cashiering Operations Student Loans & Collections and Accounts Receivable Operations Business Operations Student Money Management Center Illinois College Advising Corps Legislative Review and Policy Committee

Customer Service and Cashiering Operations Student Loans & Collections and Accounts Receivable Operations

4 Introduction of USFSCO Controller & Senior Assistant Vice President Business and Financial Services Projects and Operations Executive Director Systems Management Student Loans & Collections and Accounts Receivable (AR) Operations Customer Service and Cashier Operations Business Operations Illinois College Advising Corps Legislative Review & Policy Committee Student Money Management Center

Collections and Accounts Receivable (AR) Operations Customer Service and Cashier Operations

5 Introduction of USFSCO Our mission is to provide timely and accurate financial information and services to support our customers in fulfilling their financial responsibilities. Effective communication is essential to accomplishing this mission, particularly for incoming freshman, transfer students, and their parents.

6 Challenges Students unaware of account balance Unable to fulfill financial obligations Financial holds Increased call volume Withdrawing from school Lack of basic financial concepts Minimal understanding of financial aid benefits

call volume Withdrawing from school Lack of basic

7 Solutions Live Webinars Parent Open Houses Individual Consultations Website Redesign Payment Plan Webisodes Student Money Management Center

8 Live Webinars 12 Webinars held after hours Introduced new students and parents to USFSCO Explained and demonstrated How to view Student Account Payment Plan options Direct Deposit Authorized Payer Q & A session

9 Parent Open Houses 4 Parent Open Houses held after hours Allowed face-to-face contact Handouts with important information Q & A session Refreshments provided Door prizes

10 Parent Open Houses - Agenda Student Confidentiality (FERPA) Authorized Payer Tuition, Fees, and Housing Cost University Billing Cycle Direct Deposit Payment Options Step-by-Step Demonstration of Online Services

Cost University Billing Cycle Direct Deposit Payment

11 Individual Consultations Personal one-on-one contact. Helped to reduce call volume by 15% in August and 13% in September. A formal agenda was not specified for these consultations; rather they were geared toward the individual needs.

12 Issues Addressed in Consultations Payment Options University Billing Cycle How to View Account Activity How to Sign Up for Direct Deposit Tuition Fee & Housing Costs

13 Website Redesign USFSCO

14 Payment Plan Monthly Installments Payments processed via ACH Flexible Payment Options Annual Plans: Maximum of 12 Payments Semester Plans: Maximum of 6 Payments No Interest Charges Enrollment Fee: $40 for Semester, $66 for Annual

Payments Semester Plans: Maximum of 6 Payments No

15 Payment Plan Year to Year enrollment Increases 204% increase from AY 2008/2009 to AY 2009/ % increase from AY 2009/2010 to AY 2010/ % increase from AY 2010/2011 to AY 2011/2012

2009/2010 21% increase from AY 2009/2010 to AY

16 Webisodes Developed 13 webisodes Provided step by step directions: Paying your bill Sign up for direct deposit Enroll into a payment plan Sign up an Authorized Payer 1098-T information Introduction to SMMC Webisode demo

17 Student Money Management Center The Student Money Management Center (SMMC), a division of USFSCO, empowers University of Illinois students to make positive behavioral changes associated with their finances. Through a multi-faceted approach that integrates comprehensive online and in person platforms, we ensure students take control over their financial futures.

18 Financial Literacy Need for financial education for past due populations recognized by senior leadership at USFSCO. ibudget Financial Literacy Requirement consists of: 30 Minute Video Quiz Budget Students who completed financial literacy requirement were more likely to successfully complete their payment plans.

ibudget Financial Literacy Requirement consists of: 30 Minute Video Quiz

19 Financial Literacy Based on staff experience and feedback from students, the requirement will change to include the following: Pre- and post-test features Interactive and hands-on methods Application-based assessment features Linear progression of learning modules for students to follow With the help of igrad, an online financial literacy platform, the first phase of changes will occur in March 2013.

Application-based assessment features Linear progression of learning modules for students to follow

20 Student Account Refund Video Partners on Video Development UIUC Theater department, UIUC & UIC Financial Aid offices Survey 48% enjoyed the video 58% learned something new 79% indicated they would budget their refunds 42% will check their account every month to make sure no new charges or reductions in their financial aid have posted

new 79% indicated they would budget their refunds 42% will check their account

21 SMMC Partnerships Garnering partnerships with groups both on and off all University of Illinois campuses has been critical to the success of multiple programs & projects, including: Coordinated activities with Economic Awareness Council and UI Extension. Face to Face Workshops Work with priority populations like international students and employees with taxable graduate level tuition waivers.

22 Outreach for Priority Populations International Students Work with international student services offices Developed web-based materials, including an infographic on US coins and a web page dedicated to international students needs. Did you investigate the costs of daily expenses before moving to IL? Yes No Unexpected Expenses in the US Tips Water Internet Insurance Electricity Health Care Reception of wire transfers Receiving phone calls & texts *Tax is not included in the marked price*

23 Outreach for Priority Populations Graduate Students Affected by Taxation of Waivers Problem: Graduate students are surprised by withholding. Suggested Solution: More proactive outreach to help prevent the resulting financial crises when students realize there has been a significant reduction in their income in the latter half of the semester. Outreach done by Student Money Management Center Worked with University Payroll & Benefits to develop/improve materials and outreach - calculators, verbiage, etc. Coordinate workshops in September 2012 & February 2013 to help students learn about tools and methods of preparing for withholding Follow-up s and surveys from workshops help to guide future outreach and improvement on current educational methods.

24 Impact Educated students and parents Reduced payment delays Improved University s cash flow Reduced customer contacts to USFSCO Reduced customer contacts to Financial Aid, Housing and Registration offices Lowered outstanding receivables Reduced administrative costs

25 New Initiatives USFSCO Webisodes Outreach to Withdrawn Students Marketing through Post Cards Social Media Marketing & Outreach International Student Services (e.g., peertransfer) Illinois College Advising Corps

Six Strategies of Communication to Increase Tuition Payment and Student Retention

Six Strategies of Communication to Increase Tuition Payment and Student Retention Introductions Joseph Shroyer Associate Director, USFSCO Andrea Pellegrini Assistant Director, USFSCO 2 Session Overview