A quality higher education consultant can serve as a catalyst for positive change. Post-secondary education is in a constant state of transformation, but administrative tasks like managing financial aid approvals and following strict regulatory guidelines call for expert assistance and innovative solutions.
Below, we explore the benefits of a higher education consultant and how they empower administrative staff to support students and improve overall administrative efficiencies.
What Is Higher Education Consulting?
Higher education strategic planning consultants provide a specialized advisory service to post-secondary educational institutions.
Experts who advise academic administrators assist with complex processes, evaluating institutional goals, programs, recordkeeping, performance, and initiatives, offering solutions and support to help administrators perform to their highest abilities.
Consultants help identify areas for improvement and implement strategies for streamlined administration and actionable efficiencies designed to support student success.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring an Educational Consultant?
Post-secondary education consultants’ partner with academic institutions to provide specialized assistance. Consultants ensure administrators are able to support students in challenging processes like financial aid.
The following are key benefits of a higher education consultant for administrators that exemplify the multifaceted support consultants provide.
They Help Administrators Focus on Other Tasks
A higher education consultant provides administrators with the support they need to manage challenging, time-consuming tasks with confidence. This frees them to dedicate their time to other critical tasks.
By delegating specialized processes like overseeing or assisting in regulatory compliance, administrators can manage the broad goals of academic programs, student support, new programs, and improving retention strategies.
They Possess a Wealth of Knowledge About Educational Trends
Financial aid regulations are constantly changing, making it difficult for administrators to stay current and aware of how changes affect application processing and recordkeeping. Post-secondary education consultants are vigilant about staying current on every change to regulations to ensure documents are processed accurately.
Consultants also remain up to date with advancements in technology, analytics, and innovative solutions to help ensure students receive the financial aid they need and administrative staff receive the support and training they require to maintain efficient processes.
They Help Administrators Remain Compliant with Educational Regulations
Financial aid consultants assist administrators with complex and ever-changing regulatory compliance centering around financial aid for students. They know how to navigate the intricate nature of Title IV funding by overseeing:
- Initial eligibility for students
- Change of ownership applications
- Regulatory process reviews
- Verification validation processes
- Financial aid compliance training for administrators
- Compliance gaps
Educational institutions can confidently rely on this support, allowing them to concentrate on other critical responsibilities while sustaining accreditation and upholding their integrity.
They Improve Student Success and Retention Rates
The assistance that consultants provide post-secondary institutions has an immediate, positive impact on students. Expedited financial aid verification and award processing reduce students’ financial stress so they can focus on their studies.
Additionally, consultants assist administration staff with tailored advising, attendance tracking, and other tasks that help assess student achievement, retention, and overall success.
They Guide Institutions In Uncovering Cost-Saving Solutions
Consultants help institutions maximize their resources by providing the needed support and expertise. They also help institutions adhere to Title IV funding requirements to avoid expensive findings and penalties and streamline approval processes so students can quickly receive the financial aid they need.
Consultants offer valuable training and software solutions for financial aid processing, helping institutions improve operational efficiency and reduce risks associated with costly audits and penalties.
They Have Specialized Expertise in Multiple Areas
Higher education consultants provide a wide range of assistance in the following areas:
- Financial aid management: With their extensive knowledge of Title IV funding, they help streamline operations to maintain accuracy while reducing processing time, costs, and inaccuracies.
- Regulatory compliance: Consultants offer guidance for administrators to maintain adherence to regulations, reducing the chance institutions will face audits or penalties.
- Training and development: Consultants can train staff in financial aid processes, compliance, student application assistance, and using custom software designed to facilitate administrative processes.
- Student support: Assisting students with financial aid documents and counseling helps improve retention. Fewer students drop out or avoid enrollment when they have the resources they need to gain approval for financial aid.
- Student information systems (SIS): Consultants help administrative staff learn from data analytics and details surrounding Title IV loans and work-study programs through valuable SIS platforms and other advanced technology.
They Establish Strong Relationships with Stakeholders
Higher education consultants act as a fortified bridge between institutions and their stakeholders. School faculty, administrators, and students all benefit from tailored support provided by consultants. They ensure documents are filed correctly, provide counseling services, engage in strategic planning and training, and more.
External accreditation bodies, government agencies, and independent funding organizations rely on them for communication, accurate documentation, strategic planning, and validation that processes are followed according to regulatory requirements.
Ready for World-Class Higher Education Consultation? Talk to Fame
While you consider adding a higher education consultant, look at everything Fame has to offer. Our Student Information System (SIS) features a comprehensive, flexible platform for seamlessly managing admissions, attendance, enrollment, and financial aid tracking.
We provide professional consultation services and school management software tailored specifically for the needs of post-secondary institutions. With over 45 years of expertise, we offer comprehensive solutions to manage regulatory compliance, outsourced financial aid services and financial aid awards, accelerated admissions processing, and enhanced student engagement.
If you decide to hire a higher education consultant, start by scheduling a free consultation with Fame or requesting a demo today.
By Sally Samuels and Outlined by AI
Director of Compliance, Fame
