According to Dr. Tom Green, managing consultant at AACRAO, it may be time for your institution to develop a Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) plan if you haven't already. The process of forming strategic planning teams, researching different methods and reviewing timelines can be daunting. Institutions face challenges in realizing their data potential and acquiring the information needed to target retention interventions, maximize financial aid expenditures, focus on recruitment efforts, and more while in the process of SEM planning.
Additionally, some institutions are concerned about how much money they are spending on financial aid while considering their SEM planning goals. Tuition discounting continues to rise while students and parents are concerned about how to afford the increasing costs of a degree. “One of the most important topics in SEM today is how campuses wisely use institutional aid to achieve enrollment goals," Dr. Green says. "As costs increase and families are concerned about debt, institutional aid is more important than ever to help your students reach their educational goals.”
AACRAO Consulting's expertise in SEM planning and assessing financial aid awards can help institutions expedite the development of a plan that is customized individually for each college or university's needs. For more information about SEM planning or a financial aid analysis contact visit the AACRAO Consulting booth at AACRAO’s SEM Conference to speak with consultant Dr. Tom Green. Dr. Green will be hosting a workshop on Building Best Practices in Your Financial Aid Office; visit the SEM Conference webpage for more details.