Agency Liaison
Michael D. Morgan

Accountability

During a time of economic growth and prosperity, many states chose to invest in the future by increasing funding for higher education, primarily in merit-based scholarship programs. The various educational aid programs that emerged throughout the southeast and the US were funded by a myriad of sources: money from coal severance taxes, the tobacco settlement, state lotteries and occasional general fund appropriations. As states are facing lean economic times, student aid assistance programs will continue to be subject to legislative review and scrutiny.

States are faced with the probability that current funding for merit– and need-based programs will neither keep pace with higher tuition rates or the increased number of needy students. The double-digit percentage tuition increases experienced in recent years are placing a financial strain on educational aid programs; many of which are directly tied to the tuition rate charged such as prepaid tuition plans and many merit-based scholarship programs throughout the southeast. States whose aid programs are not tied directly to the prevailing tuition rates watch as their programs’ abilities to fund education diminish with each tuition hike. Legislators seeking to balance a budget will have a difficult time reducing awards or changing eligibility requirements in popular merit-based programs although the possibility of funding shortfalls may be fast approaching.

In 1998, the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) published an article, “State Funded Merit-based Programs: Why are they popular?” This report suggests, in order for a merit-or need-based program to be successful in increasing participation in postsecondary education, it must both serve students who meet academic expectations in high school and whose education beyond high school is influenced by a family’s financial circumstances. Financial aid programs have the most impact on increasing both access to and completion of a post-secondary education. State policies should encourage high school performance, provide adequate support services for students and reduce geographic and financial barriers to education beyond high school.

As budgets become tight, states will be asked to evaluate the success of their individual programs. Have they had an impact on the college-going rate in the state? Do they effectively help lower and middle-income families in meeting school expenses? Do they increase the proportion of the state’s most talented high school students who attend college in state? Do state funding policies reflect a balanced approach to funding merit scholarships and need-based grants? How does the southeast measure up? How does your state measure up?

Vendor/Sponsor
Bob Godfrey, Chair

Everyone knows that we could never run an organization the size of SASFAA with membership dues alone. It is only with the generous support of our colleagues in the commercial sector and other agencies that SASFAA is able to provide training services to our members. This year’s sponsorship opportunities are now posted on the SASFAA Web site. Potential sponsors should go to www.sasfaa.org and look for the items under the “Sponsorship” heading.

It is important to remember that there are many opportunities for sponsorship outside of the annual conference. Other major training efforts include the New Aid Officer’s Workshop and the Mid-Level Training Workshop that we co-sponsor with the SWASFAA region. There will also be initiatives by our Diversity committee that will require sponsorship. And, the annual conference permits our sponsors to showcase their services.

SASFAA has long enjoyed relationships with sponsors that go back many years. One of the goals of this year’s sponsorship efforts will be in attracting new sponsors. There are many business endeavors that are involved with financial aid administration. Often we tend to rely on our lender and agency partners for support when there are other commercial entities that also earn income form our efforts. We hope to convince them of the need to support our professional development activities.

Questions about sponsorships can be directed to Bob Godfrey, SASFAA Sponsorship Chair, University of South Carolina.

Thanks for supporting SASFAA!