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Learn how outsourcing can optimize resources, navigate federal regulations, and streamline processes. Discover pros and cons, and expert tips on making outsourcing work for your institution.
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Outsourcing – Making it Work for You October 20, 2010 NYSFAAA 42nd Conference
Today’s Presenters • Irvin Bodofsky • Director of Financial Aid Emeritus • SUNY Upstate Medical University • Daniel Hunter • Director of Financial Aid Emeritus • Buffalo State College • Michael McGraw • Director of Financial Aid Emeritus • Tompkins Cortland Community College
Our Goal for Today • To share with you what we have learned in the past couple of years about outsourcing and how to make it work for you. • In the interest of transparency… • We do consulting, both independently and for companies. • We are receiving financial compensation for being here from ProEducation Solutions, LLC.
Why consider outsourcing? • Increased applications • Increased federal regulations • Reduced resources • Direct Loan legislation • Need for training
Why consider outsourcing? • Increased applications caused by • Negative economy • Rising costs • Parent and student uncertainty
Why consider outsourcing? • Increased federal regulations • Verification • increased selection of Pell eligible • targeting of data elements requires staff retraining • elimination of 30% cap • More cases of conflicting information • 2 Pell Grants per year
Why consider outsourcing? • Reduced resources: • Staffing • Training • Hardware, software and IT support
Why consider outsourcing? • Direct Loan transition • Impact on staff time • Assignments
Why consider outsourcing? • Need for training • For professional and support staff, regardless of tenure • Cost of training? • Does your institution support training?
Why consider outsourcing? It’s time to re-think your business practices. The status quo will not continue to be productive.
What options do you have? • Hire new staff? • Overtime for current staff? • Hire temporary staff? • Close office for processing? • Hire consultants? • Outsource?
What options do you have? • Hire new staff? • Economic conditions prohibit this • Overtime for current staff? • Burnout issues • Impact on retirement benefits • Hire temporary staff? • Do you have a pool of qualified people?
What options do you have? • Close the office for processing? • Bad for customer service • Make problems worse • Hire Consultants? • Costly • Outsource? • Negative image
Pros and cons of outsourcingPositives • Access to qualified staff • You can control costs - you know how much you will be paying • Another set of eyes may find ways to streamline and improve your process • May help you see things that are slipping by (regs, policies, etc.) • Can be for a defined period of time, or ongoing
Pros and cons of outsourcingNegatives • Image is negative • How do you insure quality control • Contract process • Buy-in from staff, supervisors, other offices • Union concerns • issues - regulatory process
On campus vs. Remote processing • Cost considerations – • additional expenses for travel and lodging • IT considerations - • remote access, security
Making it work for you • Carefully define the scope of work (cost, processes, etc.) • What about insurance/bonding, confidentiality documents/training? • Customer service issues - processing time can now be devoted to customer service.
Making it work for you • Need to have solid policies and procedures. • How will consultants be trained? • How will quality be controlled? • Get buy in from other offices, especially IT! • Add third party servicers to ECAR asap.
Why consider outsourcing? It’s time to re-think your business practices. The status quo will not continue to be productive.