3.2: Student Aid

Deliver federal student aid to students and parents effectively and efficiently.

Other Information:

The Department has made considerable progress on a multiyear sequencing plan for system and business process integration to improve the administrative efficiency of federal student aid programs. Several key integration initiatives introduced since FY 2002 have led to the removal of these programs from the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) High-Risk list after nearly 14 years of inclusion. Improvements in operating efficiency, innovation and customer care are necessary for the Department to continue to provide world-class service to customers and demonstrate strong stewardship of federal funds. Strategy 1. Create an efficient and integrated delivery system. The Department will continue to provide appropriate and integrated technology solutions that enable more efficient and cost-effective delivery and administration of the federal student aid programs, helping to improve access to postsecondary education for greater numbers of Americans. New technologies will drive improvements particularly in application processing, customer service, productivity, and efficiency. Strategy 2. Improve program integrity. The Department places high priority on ensuring financial accountability and increasing program integrity in federal student aid programs. Continual improvement of financial controls, oversight, and monitoring procedures will ensure adequate program safeguards against fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement. Strategy 3. Reduce the cost of administering the federal student aid programs. The Department will pursue further reductions in program administration costs through strong financial management, reengineering of unnecessarily complex business processes, simplified business application and computing environments, and contract alignment that improves vendor management. Strategy 4. Improve federal student aid products and services to provide better customer service. The Department will reduce the complexity of federal student aid products and services, providing students, parents, schools, lenders and guaranty agencies with 24-7 access and enhanced self-service functionality. These improvements also will maintain full Department compliance with laws and regulations governing federal student aid programs.

Stakeholder(s):

• Postsecondary Students


• Parents of Postsecondary Students

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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