Scholarship Service Council Meeting Recap
with Chair Carolyn Lindley
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CSSC Chair Carolyn Lindley is university director of financial aid at Northwestern University |
At its December meeting, the College Scholarship Service Assembly Council focused on financial aid in a challenging economy, reforms in student loans and the new profile for international students.
"As we see a new administration in Washington, we are trying to anticipate what may happen with federal financial aid," said Carolyn Lindley, chair of the council and university director of financial aid at Northwestern University. "We believe the College Board and the College Scholarship Service Assembly are important voices in those conversations. In our advocacy agenda, the financing of college for low-income students is a real issue and will continue to be. We need the voice of the financial aid professionals in there."
Council members discussed aspects of the report from the Rethinking Student Aid study group, and broader issues of affordability and how to balance resources.
"An institution might want to have lots of low-income students, but can it afford to have them, in terms of financial aid dollars available?" asked Lindley. "You have middle-income students who are looking around and saying, 'I can only do this much. What can you do to help me?' Then there are wealthy families and students who may be able, but are they willing to pay such a large portion? We're going to have more conversations on our campuses about how aid impacts all families, whether it is from the institution, or the federal or state government."
Council members also discussed the work of the Board's Financial Aid Standards and Services Advisory Committee. The council talked about the underpinnings of Institutional Methodology, how it is being used and whether changes are needed.
Additionally, members looked at how institutions were moving forward following reforms made after student loan controversies last year. "We need to work in a transparent manner so that the public can trust us and believe that we are in this field to help people. We take great pride in awarding dollars to students to help them pursue higher education. We really have to regain credibility after some of the findings, which were very upsetting to all of us," Lindley said.
One of the developments that excited council members was the profile for international students. Many institutions are aiming to become more global, and this profile will be helpful in pursuing those goals, Lindley said.
In the coming year, Lindley said, the council will make it a priority to broaden the community of financial aid professionals taking part in member activities. Their participation is important not only for the camaraderie, but also for the expertise and perspective that these professionals bring to the College Board's work.
The economy may make it difficult to bring more participants to national and regional forums, but, Lindley said, she hopes that in other ways the assembly and the College Board can attract larger numbers of financial aid professionals.
Lindley, who is in her second and final year as chair, said she has enjoyed seeing changes in the field since she last served on the council in the 1990s.
"As I reflect on it, I think this group is more diverse in gender and ethnicity. It's a wonderful sign that financial aid has evolved in the past 10 to 15 years," she said. "I am grateful and humble to act as the chair of this group of wonderfully honest people who give substantial and meaningful feedback and responses. I would urge members to get in touch with their regional representatives to be sure we hear what they would like us to address."
