Innovation at The University of Findlay: New Online Total Degree Cost Calculator in Partnership with Cegment, Inc.
FINDLAY, Ohio & BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–This month, The University of Findlay, in partnership with Cegment,
Inc., launched a new online Personal
Affordability Calculator featuring Total Degree Cost insights.
Helping students and families understand that higher education is an
investment stands as a key component in Findlay’s plan to evolve its
recruitment and retention philosophy. Revealing the total cost of a
degree early, before enrolling, allows families to better prepare for
the financial commitment.
Improving Cost Transparency
The new Findlay
Total Degree Cost Calculator (TDCC) guides students through the
process of creating a personalized plan for affording a UF degree. The
engaging utility breaks down the total net cost of a degree into yearly
increments, including financial aid eligibility, loan debt and estimated
post-graduation monthly loan repayments. All of this functionality is
wrapped in a vibrant, informative and engaging user experience that
demonstrates the unique value and viability of an education at The
University Findlay.
From the point of entry to the TDCC, each student is encouraged to
continue by Findlay’s bold statement, “We recruit graduates,” which sets
the tone for future success. After a short question-and-answer survey,
the student sees imagery specific to his or her chosen academic area of
interest and information on the value of a Findlay education. A personal
financial plan is then rendered in an approachable and
easy-to-understand format. The student has the option to recalculate the
estimate for other academic programs being considered, as well as to run
multiple funding scenarios in an Interactive Affordability Calculator.
“Partnering with Cegment has allowed us to enhance the user experience
and function of our online cost and aid estimation calculator,” said
Rebecca Butler, The University of Findlay’s vice president for
enrollment management. “Their expertise and sophisticated technology
platform helped us create a utility that both educates students and
families and demonstrates the value that a Findlay education offers. We
are excited to bring this one-of-a-kind tool to our students and their
families.”
Financial Aid Award Clarity
In the next phase of the program, an enhanced award letter, will be
delivered to students this spring. This award letter will provide a
personalized and fundamentally better way for families to understand the
cost of their education, how to responsibly fund those costs and the
next steps required to join the Findlay student community.
“Historically, award letters have been a bland, transactional event with
a data-heavy document that is difficult to understand,” Butler said.
“Our aim with a more personalized and straightforward award letter is to
make this a celebrated and clarifying event in the students’ pursuit of
their college goals.”
Financial Preparedness Education
Ongoing education after students enroll is critical to helping their
transition from college to career. Starting this fall, Findlay and
Cegment will partner to provide a forward-thinking Student Financial
Success Guide (SFSG) to sophomore and senior UF students.
The SFSG is personalized for each student, promotes financial literacy
and helps students prepare for managing loan repayments after graduation
in the context of earning potential. Budgeting advice and support
resources offered by UF are provided to encourage students to begin a
financial plan before graduation.
“Through these ongoing efforts, we not only hope to ensure that our
students receive a top-notch education, but also provide the financial
preparedness that will lead them to successful careers and the true
realization of the return on their education investment,” said Butler.
“We are planting the seeds for financial success that we intend to
nurture throughout the students’ time at Findlay.”
According to Brad Baker, CEO of Cegment, “The Findlay Student
Engagement Solution is the result of a true partnership. We have
been able to leverage our new technology platform and dynamic document
expertise to create a comprehensive student financial preparedness
program that is unmatched in the industry.”
About The University of Findlay
The University of Findlay is a flexible, forward-looking institution
that is constantly seeking ways to better serve students and the
community. Its mission is to help individuals find the path to a
meaningful life and productive career. Established in 1882, the
University was founded on the principles of personal faith,
civic-mindedness and scholarly achievement. It is committed to providing
the personal attention essential to the development of students as whole
persons – knowledgeable, creative, ethical and compassionate leaders in
a global environment. The University of Findlay offers more than 60
majors in business, education, health, liberal arts, pharmacy and
sciences. www.findlay.edu
About Cegment
Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Cegment, Inc. is an innovative
technology and marketing services company that enables colleges and
universities to communicate personalized affordability and unique value
to individual students. Through multiple contact mediums, Cegment’s
personalized cost and value communication enables colleges to engage
with “an audience of one” by addressing an individual’s specific
concerns and interests. The company’s services include the nation’s most
sophisticated net price, student aid and total-cost-of-degree estimation
technology; enhanced financial aid award letters; personal enrollment
planners; custom marketing and communications programs; financial
literacy education; financial aid support programs; and insightful data
analytics. Cegment helps colleges provide cost transparency and increase
engagement with prospective students to achieve enrollment goals. www.cegment.com
• Twitter: @Cegment • Facebook: /Cegment
© 2015 Cegment, Inc. All rights reserved. Other company, product or
service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.
Contacts
The University of Findlay
Joy Shaw, 419-434-4345
Media
Relations Coordinator
shaw@findlay.edu
or
Cegment,
Inc.
Kerry Rawdon, 617-337-4512
Manager of Enrollment
Marketing and Communications
krawdon@cegment.com
