Cal State San Bernardino was recognized by LendEDU for having one of the top financial aid counseling programs in the country. Out of a list of 50 colleges and universities across the nation, CSUSB was ranked No. 24, and is the only California State University on the list.
“We were recognized because we are far better at implementing various types of ‘head-on approaches’ in helping students pay for college, and offering various options in managing their loan debt after graduation,” said Roseanna Ruiz, director of the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
LendEDU, an online marketplace for student loan refinancing, analyzed more than 1,000 colleges and universities that demonstrated above-average curricula. The rankings were based on three areas: advisement, programs and resources.
Under the advisement category, LendEDU looked at the amount of one-on-one or group setting counseling available for students; for programs, they assessed the amount and quality of online programs and webinars available for students; and for resources, they examined the amount of information, online tools or instructional guides provided.
“We offer numerous off-campus financial aid workshops to the local Inland Empire, Coachella Valley, high- and low-desert high school districts,” said Ruiz. “We also conduct workshops on campus that are open to current enrolled students and the public. During these workshops our staff provides not only guidance in applying for financial aid, but also gives precautionary advisement to prospective high school students and their parents about paying for college and responsible loan borrowing and repayment options.”
According to LendEDU, the most important aspects of a successful financial aid counseling program are the entrance and exit interviews, which are intended to help students understand their loans and explain how they can effectively manage and repay them.
“Although Cal State at San Bernardino suggests the online form first, they still provide thorough information on how to complete it,” says the LendEDU website. “However, students don’t need to worry about the online version as the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships offers in-person entrance and exit counseling sessions as well.”
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships offers a variety of services, including money management workshops, which are offered up to three times a quarter.
“The information shared during these workshops optimizes student involvement in better understanding how they or their parents can take advantage of loans and forbearance and repayment options, while avoiding pitfalls and dangers of loan defaults,” Ruiz said.
The office also offers the satisfactory academic progress web-based tool, which teaches students how academic progress can affect their ability to receive financial aid, and helps them understand the importance of obtaining timely, professional academic advisement and early tutoring intervention.