Spotlight on New USU Unit: Student Financial Support

Did you know that USU has a groundbreaking new collaborative unit? We recently reached out to Craig Whyte, Executive Director of Student Financial Support, to learn more about this team and their mission.

So what is Student Financial Support?

"Student Financial Support represents Financial Aid, Scholarships, and the Student Money Management Center. Between these teams, Student Financial Support has 24 staff members and between 14-18 student employees. The Student Financial Support team works to align the awarding of federal, state, and institutional dollars to help students attend Utah State University. Additionally, the team has a focus on financial coaching, literacy, and budgeting to help students discover how they can better understand their expenses, income, and ability to pay for school."

So why create a new collaborative unit?

"Students make a significant investment in their future by attending (and graduating) from Utah State University. The purpose of the Student Financial Support team is identify ways to help students pay for college. There are many resources available to help students, but often students (and their parents) don’t know where to go to find the needed support. We invite all students to (1) Complete and submit their FAFSA, (2) apply for scholarships and (3) meet with a financial coach. Doing so will maximize the opportunities, and resources, to help students identify ways to pay for college."

So how do we spread the word about these great resources?

"Invite all students to do the three things outlined above. The step-by-step process is outlined at usu.edu/financial-support. This website will provide additional resources available to students to help them pay for college and navigate financial difficulties."

Are there additional staff members needed for the new unit?

"We are hiring a Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships, Assistant Director of Marketing & Outreach, and a Financial Aid Operations Coordinator. The review period for these positions has passed and the committees have begun the review/interview process. We have recently hired approx. 10 student workers and any future opportunities will be made available on Aggie Handshake."

With all this change, what are the priorities for Student Financial Support?

"There are a few priorities that are on my mind as we move forward with the Student Financial Support:

1. How can we spend every available dollar (federal, state, & institutional), thus maximizing our ability to provide aid to students?
2. How can we increase student's awareness of aid and streamline the application processes?
3. How can we increase efficiencies in the awarding of federal, state, and institutional aid?
4. How can we better help students understand budgeting and the value of forecasting, working, saving, and paying for their expenses?"

Thanks so much Craig for answering our questions and helping us understand these significant changes at USU! As we share these resources with the students we interact with, they will be better off in their lifelong educational journey!