It’s hard to believe the 2019-20 aid year starts soon. I remember saying “2019-20 aid year” a few months ago and couldn’t believe I’d just said “2020.” I might be showing my age here, but I think a few of you out there, like me, have a hard time believing we’re almost 19 years into the 21st century. It feels like 1998 was about 5 years ago. Good news is, Jay Z is still just as popular as he was in 1998. The bad news is the Backstreet Boys can’t say the same thing.
Now, back to the 2019-20 aid year—which you’re knee-deep in preparations for (us too!). Read on for more on how using your New Aid Year Checklist, evaluating your communications and customizations, holding retrospectives and leaning into us can lighten your workload. I never want to add more to your “to do” list, but hopefully a few things help you prepare for a successful start to the next aid year:
Review This Aid Year Checklist
If you’re a CampusLogic customer, you’ll receive this New Aid Year checklist from your Customer Success Manager soon. It’s very helpful if you’re using StudentForms or AwardLetter products. Our hope is this checklist fosters conversation in your office, helping you be even more prepared for the new aid year rush. Stay tuned for more communication about when 2019-20 will be available in StudentForms.
Evaluate Your Communications & Customizations
The new aid year is the perfect time to look at your communication processes—those you manage through CampusLogic and through other channels—and make some updates, if needed. Taking time to evaluate everything gives you the opportunity to make sure any custom forms, triggers, or integrations are still working for you the way you originally intended. You may decide to continue with that same setup, make some updates, or stop doing them if they are no longer needed.
Get Retrospective
I’ve talked before in my blogs about how much we believe in the power of retrospective. A retrospective is time to talk about what’s working well and what needs improvement. The team should walk away with two to three things that can be improved, and should initiate a plan to make those changes. Having a plan for how to improve is really key here.
The best way to gather data in a retrospective is to have each person put their feedback on one sticky note—each person can use as many as they need to give their feedback. After all feedback is turned in, the retrospective leader will group the sticky notes by similar themes, and pick the two to three most important or relevant to discuss.
Let Us Be a Resource
Your CSM is a great resource to consult with through the aid year transition. They are happy to talk through each step and make sure you are set up for success—whether that’s to do with your CampusLogic products, or to offer other resources. The wise Benjamin Franklin said, “If you are failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” We are looking forward to 2019-20 and hope that you are too!
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