Star Staff for March 

Kelly McMillan
Transcripts Certification Services/University Registrar's Office

VIPs - Very Important Ponies 

Some of our VIPs this month are:
Shirley Lin - is always smiling and definitely giving those students a great first impression of DES.  She is flexible and efficient enough to handle all of her tasks.  Where would we be without her!!!

Jennifer Russell - I always am impressed with people who are helpful even when they are busy.  Jennifer took time in the middle of the final folder review in Admission to help me find staff to cover the phone and the desk when SFS/FA were out for a retreat.  She did it with a smile.

Ernie Calderon - makes it fun to come to work.  In the middle of any hectic day, I will get an e-mail with information I have requested.  Ernie will have added a remark that makes me laugh.  It is a wonderful break in the day.

Chris Salone - has really stepped up to the plate.  In addition to his regular duties, he has coordinated three searches in his area.  His desire to do an excellent job motivated him to participate in an interviewing workshop.  Chris enthusiastically expands his knowledge and skills.

Cathy Smith - I have observed Cathy assisting several colleagues with problems with their printers when other assistance was not available.

SMU as Lender
More accurately, the "SMU Graduate and Professional Student Loan Program" is being initiated by the SMU Financial Aid area for the fall of 2002.  This program will allow Graduate and Professional students to select SMU as their lender for Federal Stafford and Private Alternative Loans.  

SMU has contracted with the North Texas Higher Education Servicing Corporation and the National Educational Loan Network (NELNET) to provide servicing for the loans through SMU.  NELNET is the second largest servicing organization in the United States so the risk of students having loans serviced by multiple companies is significantly reduced.

SMU will use the profits from the loans for a number of student and DES initiatives.  For example, most lenders charge an origination fee that can amount to 3% of the gross amount of the Federal Stafford loan.  Private and Alternative loan origination fees can sometimes exceed 3%.  SMU will return the student's origination fee on both the Stafford and the Private loans.  In short, the student will receive the full borrowed amount versus a reduced amount of the loan payment.

The profits also will provide SMU with an opportunity to establish scholarships and  provide additional staff support and services that directly impact students.  For example, two new Senior Financial Aid Counselors will be located in the Graduate and Professional areas -- one in the Law school and one in the Business school.  This will provide greater student access to our staff and more inclusive counseling.

Most importantly, students will see no change in the way they apply for loans.  Students will continue to apply for the Stafford through the Loans by Web system.  Private Alternative loan applications will also be online and linked directly from the SMU website.  Although, the program will be heavily marketed to first year Graduate and Professional students, we think that continuing students will find the benefits so attractive that they will apply for loans using SMU as their lender.

In addition to online applications, we will be offering the capbility for Electronic Signature which will drastically cut processing and receipt time.  SMU will be one of only 3 lenders in the nation currently working with Texas Guaranteed Student Loans that has E-signature capabilities.

As Stan Eddy says, "This is an incredible opportunity for our students and SMU."

Division Highlights

Blanton Bldg. Groundbreaking
The first step in our long anticipated move to the Laura Lee Blanton Student Services Building began with the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, February 21.  Click below for photo highlights.

Important Dates and Things:
Financial Aid Awarding - begins for First Year students on March 18.

Scholarship Weekend - March 22 and 23

Springfest - March 23

Emergency Loan Deadline - March 28

Enrollment for Summer and Fall 2002 - begins April 1

May Commencement
Still time to  mark your calendars for May Commencement 2002 which will be held Saturday, May 18 at 9:30 a.m. in Moody Coliseum. 
If you are interested in volunteering at any of the academic ceremonies please contact Erin O’Neil at 8-2037 or eoneil@mail.smu.edu.

Quotation of the Month
The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.
William James