Irresponsibility leads to financial aid woes

Chalapong is a financial aid advisor and a fifth-year political
science student.

By Michael Chalapong

After reading the submission published last Friday, I felt
nothing but pity for Jeannie Quirus (“Financial
Aid Office isn’t student-friendly,” Viewpoint, Feb.
8). I pity her not because of her difficulties, but instead for her
desire to publish an article clearly full of naivete.

Regarding the FAFSA: while its unfortunate she had to take time
out of her summer to deal with FAFSA-related issues, I find it
unreasonable for the blame to be pointed at the Financial Aid
Office because the FAFSA is due on March 2 every year. What exactly
prevented Jeannie from checking on her FAFSA during her third
quarter at UCLA? Or, perhaps, following finals before her departure
to her summer vacation? To point the blame at the FAO is like
pointing the blame at the College of Letters & Science for
oversleeping on a midterm ““ “couldn’t they be
courteous enough to call me and wake me up for my class?”

As college students, we all have a certain amount of
responsibility. We should check on the status of our own business,
we shouldn’t need anyone to hold our hands. That’s why
we’re not in high school any more. That’s why we have
the option of not going to class. That’s why we’re in a
top 20 school.

While I do sympathize with the waiting associated with phone
calls or in the office, I’m sure the university would
consider hiring additional staff members if students agreed to
raise registration fees.

Consider that the current FAO has a staff comprised of about 35
people, and this staff facilitates financial aid for over 20,000
students. Do you really expect there to be no wait in the first
week of the quarter? While the wait is unfortunate, some of
Quirus’ service expectations are unrealistic.

If she doesn’t want to wait in line in the future,
she’s welcome to show up at our door at 9 a.m. when there is
virtually never a line. Just because many college students do not
start their day early in the morning does not mean the business
world does not (hence her complaint about an 8:30 a.m. phone call).
The world does not revolve around anyone’s schedule; we
revolve around it.

As far as getting a loan late, there are several mistakes
students often make. First, a PLUS loan is a parent loan, and
therefore is not covered under any promissory notes previously
signed. Second, the PLUS loan also requires that the parent be
pre-approved and then submits the parent PLUS request form.

Another common misconception that students often have is that
circling the “A” on the financial aid notification
automatically accepts the PLUS loan. Circling the “A”
accepts the Stafford and Perkins loans, since they are student
loans, but it does not apply to parent loans. Thus if not all these
steps are followed, no PLUS loan would be disbursed.

This process is outlined in the PLUS handout that goes out with
financial aid notifications for students who have been approved for
PLUS loans. With closer review of this particular handout, students
can generally avoid any delays that might occur through
misconceptions or miscommunications.

Finally, the last thing I’d like to note is that Sallie
Mae is not a lender. They are an institution that puts lenders and
students in touch with one another. They are an independent
organization from the university and thus the FAO has no control
over them or any of their documentation.

When loans are delayed, it’s generally the result of
miscommunication between the student and the lender (usually
promissory note mix-ups).

Perhaps some students don’t want to grow into their
responsibilities as college students and adults. That’s fine,
but to go and find a scapegoat for your own irresponsibility is
childish.