Financial Aid Management
Texas A&M U-Commerce Deploys Financial Aid System for Non-Traditional Students
Texas A&M University-Commerce has
implemented a new financial aid management system to support its
competency-based online degree, the Texas Affordable Baccalaureate Program.
Texas A&M University-Commerce — in partnership with South Texas College and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board (THECB) — created the Texas Affordable Baccalaureate Program in 2014
to provide a low-cost alternative to earning a college degree. The program
enables a new student with no prior college credits to earn a bachelor of
applied arts and sciences (BAAS) in organizational leadership in three years at
a total cost of $13,000 to $15,000, according to information from the
university. Students entering the program can receive credit for their prior
skills and knowledge, allowing them to complete their degree in less time for
less cost. The program is entirely online, so students can complete their
coursework while working or raising families.
The university faced challenges related to the administration of Title IV
financial aid for the competency-based education program. To resolve these
challenges, the university selected a new financial aid administration system — Regent 8 from Regent Education. According to
information from the company, Regent 8 offers "complete support for all
enrollment models including standard term, non-term, borrower-based and
competency-based education (CBE)."
Most financial aid management systems are designed for structured enrollment
periods based on a traditional academic calendar, according to Regent Education.
"The design of Regent 8 is fundamentally different, providing institutions
flexibility to offer programs with non-traditional terms, while matching the
financial aid model to the academic model," stated a news release from the
company.
The Texas Affordable Baccalaureate Program launched its first seven-week term
in late January, 2014. The program is available online through Texas A&M
University-Commerce, and is also available through both online and face-to-face
delivery options at South Texas College.
About the Author
Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].
