The University of Texas at Austin’s Office of Financial Aid was awarded a Gold Star Award from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) during their annual conference, held this year on June 24-27 in Austin. The Office of Financial Aid was recognized for their creation of the eTASFA, an online application that provides students the ability to electronically report financial data through a self-serve web solution.
The Gold Star Award recognizes innovative ideas in the financial aid arena at any level, targeted toward any constituency.
“I would like to congratulate everyone in the Office of Financial Aid on this well-deserved award,” said Rachelle Hernandez, senior vice provost for enrollment management. “This effort is an example of the many ways our financial aid team is working to enhance service to UT Austin students. Their commitment to our students is truly exceptional.”
The eTASFA application is a web-based document for special residency students at UT Austin and it allows students to complete their state financial aid application online. Staff in the Office of Financial Aid created the application with input from students over the course of 18 months. Students were able to begin using the eTASFA in October 2017, and since then more than 300 students have used it.
“Creating the eTASFA has led our staff to save 20 hours of processing time each week, giving us more time to help more students and their families,” said Diane Todd Sprague, executive director of the Office of Financial Aid. “I’m proud of everyone in the Office of Financial Aid for always thinking of innovative ways to better serve our students.”
For more information about financial aid at UT Austin or the eTASFA, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.