Motlow State Community College
Action Plan & Outcome Assessment Report for Institutional Effectiveness
Planning Year: July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016
Assessing Year: July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015
Unit: Financial Aid
Related Strategic Goal:
1.1 Expand the use of technology to increase access to post-secondary education.
Action Plan #: FINA-01
Action Plan Title: Student Satisfaction with usefulness of Financial Aid Web site
Desired Outcome: At least 85% of the students who access the Financial Aid web site will find the
information on the site to be helpful.
Description of Action Plan and Related Activities: The Financial Aid Web Site provides students with
forms, the financial aid handbook, tutorials, and a wide range of other information including:
 How to apply for financial aid
 Important dates and deadlines
 Link to login and check financial aid status
 Frequently asked questions and answers
 And more
Financial Aid staff continually update information on the web site with input from students and other
campus departments as well as state and federal agencies. Updates are made to maintain current
information and to improve access and usability of the site.
Team Members: Financial Aid Staff, IT staff, Web Master, Students, Foundation Office Staff
Timeline: Continuous; Annually
Est. Cost: $ 200.00
Budgeted: Included in current budget
Evidence of Success: Results of the Satisfaction of Student Services Survey will show an 85% or higher
positive rating to the question related to how helpful the financial aid web site information was for
those who had visited the site.
Current Status: On Schedule
Describe Progress:
2014-15
The desired outcome was achieved. The results of the Student Satisfaction Survey indicated that 96.1 %
of the respondents feel the financial aid web site is average or better. The results of the survey are
demonstrating success. While the majority of the additional comments related to the website are good
others pointed out areas for improvement. Some of the areas indicated for improvement were:
 Clearer
 Needs more information
 Needs updating
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Needs better menus
Information on general financial aid knowledge
Larger and bold fonts
2013-14
The redesign of the financial aid web site is still on-going. It was delayed during this year due to other
initiatives. The results of the Student Satisfaction Survey are positive.
The survey demonstrates that students are utilizing the financial aid web site:
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Main Campus shows that 62% of respondents had used the website. 99.3% indicated that the
web site was average or better for helpfulness.
Smyrna Campus shows that 60.5% of respondents had used the website. 96.3% indicated that
the web site was average or better for helpfulness.
Fayetteville Campus shows that 75% of respondents had used the website. 97.6% indicated that
the web site was average or better for helpfulness.
Main Campus shows that 69.5% of respondents had used the website. 99.1% indicated that the
web site was average or better for helpfulness.
2012-13
The redesign has actually started earlier than planned with the redesign of the scholarship section of the
web site. This redesign element has consolidated information in a searchable format for all Institutional
and Foundation scholarships and has integrated links to scholarship applications in one location.
Multiple updates of the financial aid web page have been implemented. We are continuing to add and
update additional materials that should facilitate ease of use and enhance the student’s experience.
 The financial aid homepage has been updated with expanded information, additional links and
an informational video
 Multiple links have been updated and enhanced
 Links have been added to provide tutorial videos, privacy information, and contact information
 Evaluations will take place during the next Student Satisfaction Survey period.
Describe Needed Changes:
During the 2015-2016 financial aid year the financial aid web site will continue to be enhanced. Normal
enhancements will continue to be implemented. Additional enhancements will be made by evaluating
peer institutions websites and incorporating ideas gleamed from their design. We will also work with the
college web master to increase the visibility of the Financial Aid Web Site to make it easier for students
to find. Evaluation of the results and comments from the latest student satisfaction survey will be used
to gauge areas for enhancement.
Also during the 2015-16 academic year, financial aid staff will develop an additional assessment of
students’ satisfaction with the financial aid web site. Currently, staff is considering the addition of
student forums to be held at two or more centers to get more detailed feedback from students. If the
pilot of the forums in spring 2016 proves successful, an additional desired outcome will be added to this
plan for 2016-17 planning year.
List of Supporting Documentation: Student Satisfaction Survey Results; Financial Aid Web Updates
Date Last Updated: 9/11/2015