Our Services
What we offer
Financial Aid Audit/Federal Program Review Assistance
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is required to perform program reviews by law. Schools receive notification of a review only four to six weeks in advance, which leaves little time to prepare.
Third Coast Higher Education provides several options to help you prepare for, participate in, and respond to a federal program review. We can work with you to modify and combine options, as needed. All services are available remotely to maximize your valuable resources.
Pre-Review AssessmentA comprehensive assessment that includes an evaluation of the compliance processes begins the program review preparation. During an on-campus or virtual visit with stakeholders, Third Coast Higher Education interviews staff and reviews institutional eligibility, financial aid policies and procedures, and financial aid system processes by:
Providing a timely evaluation of your policies and procedures and reporting on missing or non-compliant items.
Reviewing documentation requested by ED before you submit the documents to ensure you provide clean and complete files.
Performing a file review that focuses on common compliance findings, such as student eligibility, Return of Title IV Funds, and verification.
Navigating the Program ReviewThird Coast Higher Education provides consultants either on-campus or virtually to assist you as needed during the program review. Third Coast will end each day with a debrief of the day, and what you can expect next.
Corrective Action Plan and RecommendationsFollowing the assessment review and during the Program Review submission, Third Coast helps develop and implement the needed corrective actions to ensure the institution’s response not only addresses the items cited in the report but also presents an improved process or procedure in place. Combining revised policies and procedures into a comprehensive Program Review Response ensures a complete resolution, leading to the Final Program Review Determination from the Department of Education.
Audit & Program Review ResolutionResponding to an audit or program review can be time consuming, particularly if your school is required to complete a file reconstruction or implement corrective actions. With our hands-on campus experience and subject matter expertise covering regulatory and compliance issues, Third Coast Higher Education will partner with you to resolve findings and reduce potential liabilities from an audit or program review.
Financial Aid Interim Staffing
When financial aid leaders leave a position, it can leave a significant gap within the office. Third Coast Higher Education consultants have the experience needed to step right in to an open position and keep things running smoothly. With the background that we possess in financial aid consulting, there will be a critical eye to business process and compliance while in the role as interim staff. This critical eye can provide a significant opportunity to identify risk and make enhancements to the current state of the financial aid system and business operations. Additionally, Third Coast Higher Education knows that not all institutions’ needs are the same and can cater to your institution’s needs – whether that be providing transition training to a newly appointed financial aid director or providing assistance remotely to support a team during a financial aid director search.
Financial Aid Systems Revitalization
Many Financial Aid Offices are using their financial aid system adequately, but not taking advantage of the full automation and operational capabilities.
Third Coast Higher Education can conduct a “health check” so the Financial Aid Office can best utilize:
Banner®
Colleague®
PowerFAIDS®
PeopleSoft®
Collaborate with Third Coast Higher Education for a Financial Aid System Revitalization to improve service to students and compliance with regulations, without adding more work for the Financial Aid staff.
A System Revitalization typically includes these activities:
Assessment of the current financial aid operation and utilization of the financial aid system processes
Development of system and business process recommendations
Creation of set-up, rules, population selections and automated financial aid routines
Training and Knowledge Transfer to Financial Aid staff
Financial Aid Compliance Assessment
Operational and Compliance Assessment ReviewA comprehensive assessment that includes an evaluation of the processes and technology that are part of the financial aid operations. During an on-campus or virtual visit, Third Coast Higher Education interviews staff and reviews institutional eligibility, financial aid policies and procedures, financial aid system processes. In addition, we examine how operations are coordinated at the institution.
Customized Action Plan and RecommendationsFollowing the assessment review, Third Coast Higher Education provides schools with a customized action plan to reduce compliance risks, improve efficiencies, and streamline the delivery of financial aid. The detailed recommendations are designed to help put your school on the right course towards meeting regulatory requirements and best practices in the financial aid operations.
Consumer Information and Clery Act AssessmentAn increasing focus of Audits and Program Reviews is compliance with consumer information and Clery Act regulations. Third Coast Higher Education will complete a thorough inventory and risk assessment of your school’s current practices related to consumer disclosures and reporting and assist with establishing best practice, ongoing disclosure and reporting compliance.
Financial Aid Training and Policy Documentation
Third Coast Higher Education works with institutional leadership and the financial aid office to develop and deliver a customized training curriculum to address regular and special needs of the financial aid areas and their partner offices.
Third Coast Higher Education works with the office to develop and improve current policies and procedures as part of the training plans.
Student Records Business Process Management And Continuous Improvement
Third Coast Higher Education performs a comprehensive analysis that includes an evaluation of the processes and technology that are a part of student record related operations.
Third Coast Higher Education interviews staff and reviews existing business processes with the goal of identifying possibilities for improving organizational effectiveness.
Following a full understanding of existing procedures, we will facilitate the proposal, development, and implementation of new business processes leveraging best practices and maximizing the functionality available within student information systems. In addition, we can facilitate the creation of a repository for business process documentation.
Financial Aid File Processing
Whether you are understaffed, overwhelmed with the current workload or are looking to fully outsource the processing of your files, Third Coast Higher Education is here to help. We provide remote processing services that include, but are not limited to:
Verification
Special Circumstance Appeals
Return of Title IV Funds
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals
Contact us today to see how we can help with your needs.
