How NOT to be an Asshat in the Financial Aid Office (long)

[Dytchdoctir]

Disclaimer: I recall that there is someone in this community who works in a financial aid office, but they haven't posted in quite a while. Sorry, I don't remember your name, but this post is about sucky students, not the hardworking and much abused FA office staff.

Background: My college (where I'm taking courses in IT for a career change) starts classes next Monday, August the 24th. The bookstore is open for book buy as of Monday the 17th. If your financial aid package includes a bookstore allowance, as does mine, you can pick up your books and pay for them with said bookstore allowance, unless . . .

Problem!!

Lupo tells you that the computer records from Financial Aid show no bookstore allowance for you, despite the fact that your FA package has gone through.

Now I've had this problem before, so I went straight to FA to check before I started book shopping, but others were hit with the news at the checkout line. Let the griping and suckage begin.

1. Sign in the log book.

It's right THERE, with a big ass arrow pointing to it, and a poster sized placard stating "Sign In Here". Or you could just stand around, hoping someone behind the desk will call out random names until they happen upon yours.

2. Get in line.

Or you could mill around in the waiting area, so nobody else can squeeze in to sign in. There is another placard for you:

"Please do not stand at the counter, as we are discussing potentially confidential information with other students."

3. Everybody else has been waiting too.

Yes, I'm talking to you, redneck fatass helicopter mom in tank top and denim short shorts, dragging your 18 year old son with the scraggly attempt at a first beard on his face. None of us are impressed by the news that: "I've been standing in line at the bookstore for over an hour! An HOUR!! What? Sign in! You mean I've STILL got to wait?! I've been standing in line at the bookstore for OVER AN HOUR!!!!"

At least your son has the grace to look embarrassed at being seen in public with you. Man up, son, trim that god awful fuzz a little, and go deal with life and the adult sized problems that abound your own self!

4. Nobody at the FA Office has concocted a fiendish plot against you.

And neither has Lupo back at the bookstore.

So when your name is called, stumble up to the counter, smile nicely, and calmly state "I have a FA package, but the computer is showing no bookstore allowance for me." That's all.

Oh, yes. When asked for your student ID number, don't roll your eyes.

[lupo pazzesco]

Problem!!

Lupo tells you that the computer records from Financial Aid show no bookstore allowance for you, despite the fact that your FA package has gone through.

4. Nobody at the FA Office has concocted a fiendish plot against you.

And neither has Lupo back at the bookstore.


Oh, yes. When asked for your student ID number, don't roll your eyes.

Well, you just nailed a lot of issues we've been having already! We don't have the financial aid package, per se, but students can get a book loan on their ID card, which we accept as payment. (i.e., money for books, until your actual aid comes in). So many people don't read the frakking info that says it takes 24-48 hours for the funds to be applied to your card. Thus:

Me: I'm sorry, the card was declined.
Them: BUT I HAVE MONEY ON THERE, I JUST DID IT TODAY11!!!!!!11!!!
Me: .......

OR

Me: I'm sorry, it says "card not in host", so the bookloan isn't on this card.
Them: YES IT IS!! RUN IT RIGHT THIS TIME AND IT WILL WORK!!
(And yes, they are screaming at me, usually. Never polite, in a regular "inside voice"


and when we ask for your student ID please please please, just hand it over already!! It has your name, and a student ID number, and a picture. No horribly vital information I can use to steal your identity! Well...maybe if I was evil, I'd write down your ID number and use up all your allotted 500 pages of printing on campus, just for shits and giggles...

but I'm not really evil. Really.

>.> What...?





don't get me wrong, I have issues with the FA office. Regularly, I go to war with them every semester. It's become tradition. But students don't make it any easier by not reading/following rules or procedure.

Think I'm gonna cease rambling now...

[fireheart]

I am soo glad that we don't do something like that. Most people defer their fees straight onto HECS and then scramble to grab the funds for textbooks and the like from part-time work or by begging the student assistance office for a grant.

[Bandit]

Well...maybe if I was evil, I'd write down your ID number and use up all your allotted 500 pages of printing on campus, just for shits and giggles...

but I'm not really evil. Really.

>.> What...?

You'd only be evil if you happened to burn that 500 pages printing full colour versions of all the squirrel-bomb pictures that are out there on the 'net.

What? O.o <.<

B

[Soulstealer]

You'd only be evil if you happened to burn that 500 pages printing full colour versions of all the squirrel-bomb pictures that are out there on the 'net.

What? O.o <.<

B

I'd use them for papers and article printing.

What? I have needs.

[fma_fanatic]

Yeah, but we know Lupo iz evol. I mean, molesting the produce....

Seriously, I remember how it was way back when when I needed financial aid for stuff. The community college I went to was notorious for "losing" paperwork and forcing you to refill and get stuff signed again. The number of people bitching to high heaven was massive. My first time through, I made three copies of the paperwork based on what a friend had told me happened to her.

Needless to say, I never had a problem, other than having to go elsewhere for my books since by the time I got to the bookstore, they were sold out and we weren't allowed to use used copies for some odd reason.